Foliar feeding formulation and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Described is a hydroponic system wherein a feed formulation comprising a plant&#39;s nutritionally effective amount of at least one amino acid, which upon uptake, becomes a substantial source of nitrogen for said plant, is applied to the foliage of the plant, and the roots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution that comprises less than the plant&#39;s nutritional nitrogen requirements. The feed formulation, methods of feeding a plant or plant seed, and plants produced thereby are also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention generally relates to hydroponic plant growthusing a simplified hydroponic system having reduced infrastructure,monitoring and maintenance requirements, and that utilizes a foliar feedformulation to supply all essential mineral nutrients to the plant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydroponics may be defined as the growing of plants in a mineralnutrient solution without soil (soilless growth) (Howard M. Resh,HYDROPONIC FOOD PRODUCTION 2 (6th ed. 2001) (hereinafter Resh); ToshikiAsao, HYDROPONICS—A STANDARD METHODOLOGY FOR PLANT BIOLOGICALRESEARCHES, preface (2012) (hereinafter Asao)). In a hydroponic system,plant roots may be submerged in a mineral nutrient solution only (waterculture methods) or in an inert medium such as sand, gravel, or othersubstrates to which a mineral nutrient solution is added (see, e.g.,Resh at 2; Asao at preface). Hydroponic mineral nutrient solutionscontain the essential elements (other than carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen)needed by a plant, and in amounts sufficient, for the plant's normalgrowth and development (Resh at 2; Asao at preface and pages 1-2).Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are primarily supplied to the plant by theatmosphere and water (Asao at 2). Most hydroponic systems are enclosedin greenhouse-type structures to control growth temperature, protectagainst plant diseases and pests, and to protect against damaging windand rain (Christie Emerson, WATER AND NUTRIENT REUSE WITHIN CLOSEDHYDROPONIC SYSTEMS, Georgia Southern University Electronic Thesis &Dissertations Paper No. 1096 at 10-11 (2014) (hereinafter Christie)).

Because of its soil independence and careful control of growthconditions, a hydroponic system permits the growth of a plant year-roundand in regions or climates where growth of such a plant would nototherwise be possible (e.g., urban, nutrient-depleted, or aridenvironments) (Christie at 10-11). As compared to soil-based growth,hydroponic growth systems are generally recognized to use water,pesticides, and fertilizers more efficiently, to require minimal land,to permit a more efficient and consistent uptake of nutrients, and topermit greater plant growth within less time (Asao at 101-102, 226).

Hydroponic systems are generally classified as “open” (ornon-recycling), wherein the nutrient solution goes through the systemonce and is then discarded, or “closed” (or recycling), wherein thenutrient solution is reused and often supplemented after several cyclesby the addition (renewal) of water or nutrients (Christie at 1). Forthis reason, closed systems use less water and nutrients, and protectthe environment from nutrient run-off, but require additional monitoringand maintenance as compared to open hydroponic systems (Christie at 1-2,10-11).

Traditional hydroponic systems require infrastructure such as reservoirsand energy to supply plants with the mineral nutrient solution and, atleast for closed systems, pumps to circulate the mineral nutrientsolution (Christie at 10-11). Further, successful hydroponic growthsystems require monitoring and maintenance by persons knowledgeableabout plant science and with expensive tools and materials (Asao page102). For example, to monitor the ion content of the mineral nutrientsolution, direct measurement is preferred (Christie at 17). Althoughion-specific electrodes are available, they are expensive and are notspecific for the full profile of ions present in hydroponic nutrientsolutions (Christie at 17). Spectrophotometry is an alternative to usingion-specific electrodes but is similarly expensive (Christie at 17). Inaddition, it is necessary to monitor and prevent algae growth within anymoist, nutrient media that has even minimal exposure to light (such asthe mineral nutrient solution within a traditional hydroponic system).This is because algae may clog the tubes and pumps of traditionalhydroponic systems, algae depletes nutrients from the hydroponic mineralnutrient solution, and may further suffocate plants if the algae growsdirectly on plant roots. The greatest impediment to wide-spread use ofhydroponic systems is the cost of constructing and maintaining them(Christie at 10-11; Asao at 16, 102, 108-109, 226, 231). For thisreason, hydroponic growth systems remain more expensive than soil-basedgrowth. Thus the use of traditional hydroponic systems at a levelsufficient to meet food demands, for example, has been limited to higheconomic value crops and by persons having sufficient resources fortheir construction and maintenance (Asao at 16, 102, 108-109, 226, 231).

While others have developed hydroponic systems said to reduceinfrastructure requirements and/or the total cost of the system (see,e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,677,685; 8,621,781; 5,394,647; 5,067,275; U.S.Pre-grant Publication No. 2015/0007498; U.S. Pre-grant Publication No.2014/0075841; and U.S. Pre-grant Publication No. 2011/0067301), thesesystems nonetheless require a pump, two or more reservoirs to holdnutrient solution or other (possibly a second) media, pulley systems,areas within which solution may flow, and/or replenishment of nutrientsolution.

For greater accessibility to hydroponically grown plants, there remainsa need for simplified hydroponic plant growth systems having reducedinfrastructure, monitoring and maintenance requirements as compared totraditional hydroponic systems.

Macronutrients are the essential elements and minerals that are requiredat relatively large quantities by a plant for the plant's normal (wildtype) growth and development (see Resh at pages 34-37; N. K. Fageria etal., Foliar Fertilization of Crop Plants, 32 J. of Plant Nut. 1044, 1045(2009) (hereinafter Fageria)). The macronutrients include thenon-mineral nutrients carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) as wellas the mineral nutrients phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca),magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) (see Resh at pages 34-37; Fageria at1045). Micronutrients are the essential elements and minerals that arerequired at relatively small quantities by a plant for the plant'snormal (wild type) growth and development (see Resh at pages 34-37;Fageria at 1045). The micronutrients include the mineral nutrients iron(Fe), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu),and molybdenum (Mo) (see Resh at pages 34-37; Fageria at 1045).

The absorption of mineral nutrients through plant roots is differentthan that through plant foliage; mineral nutrients may only be absorbedthrough plant foliage when, for example, the mineral nutrients are inappropriate concentrations (Fageria at 1045). While others have usedfoliar application to meet a plant's nutritionally required mineralnutrient(s) (including in soilless growth conditions), successful foliarnutrient application to plants has been limited to mere supplementation(i.e., most of the plant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients (51%or more) are provided by root-feeding) (Resh at 55-59; Fageria at 1045,1049-1060). This is at least because macronutrients are required at suchhigh amounts that the leaves of some plants are damaged by the foliarapplication of its nutritionally required mineral macronutrients(Fageria at 1045, 1049-1060). This is further at least because somemacronutrients and many micronutrients are immobile after absorptioninto the foliage of a plant, resulting in perhaps a temporary correctionof a nutrient deficiency but long term damage due to the build-up ofmineral nutrients on the foliage and nutrient deficiency in newly grownplant tissue(s) (Fageria at 1045, 1049-1060). For these reasons, thefoliar application of mineral nutrients, even at levels that onlysupplement the root-uptake of mineral nutrients, has producedinconsistent results depending on the plant species, nutrient ornutrient combination applied, and amount of nutrient(s) applied (Fageriaat 1050-1052, 1059). To date, the recommendation by the art is that,while in certain circumstances foliar application is the most effectivemeans to correct a nutrient deficiency, the foliar application ofmicronutrients is preferred to that of macronutrients and a plant shouldbe root-fed most of its nutritionally required macronutrients (Fageriaet al. at 1045, 1049-1060). In fact, Fageria et al. state clearly that“foliar fertilization cannot substitute for soil application” (Fageriaat 1060) and Stevens makes clear that “[e]ven with improved formulationsusing effective adjuvants, foliar fertilizers must be regarded assupplements to overcome deficiencies in micronutrients, and to boostmacronutrients at critical physiological stages, rather than assubstitutes for soil-applied [i.e., root-applied] fertilizers” (Stevensat pages 27, 32).

Especially with respect to simplified hydroponic plant growth systemshaving reduced infrastructure, monitoring and maintenance requirementsas compared to traditional hydroponic systems, there remains a need fora foliar feed formulation that may supply a plant with essentially allof its nutritionally required mineral nutrients (i.e., nutritionallyrequired mineral macronutrients and micronutrients) which overcomes thelimits of traditional foliar supplements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of nourishing a leafy vegetableplant through its foliage comprising: applying a feed formulation to aleaf of said leafy vegetable plant, wherein (a) the roots of the plantare in contact with an incomplete water solution that comprises lessthan the plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements; and (b) the feedformulation comprises a nutritionally effective amount of at least oneamino acid, which upon uptake, becomes a substantial source of nitrogenfor said plant.

The invention further provides a method of nourishing a leafy vegetableplant through its foliage comprising: applying a feed formulation to aleaf of said leafy vegetable plant, wherein (a) the roots of the plantare in contact with an incomplete water solution that comprises lessthan a full complement of the plant's nutritionally required mineralnutrients; and (b) the feed formulation comprises a nutritionallyeffective amount of at least one amino acid which, upon uptake, becomesa substantial source of nitrogen for said plant.

The invention further provides that the amino acid is selected from thegroup consisting of the D-, L- or racemic forms of alanine,beta-alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, carnosine, cysteine,glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine,lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine,tyrosine, valine, citrulline or citrulline malate, or mixtures thereof.

The invention further provides that the amino acid is selected from thegroup consisting of the D-, L- or racemic forms of asparagine, asparticacid, carnosine, cysteine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine,lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine,tyrosine, and valine, or mixtures thereof.

The invention further provides that the feed formulation comprises aneffective amount of a gelling agent.

The invention further provides that the feed formulation comprises aneffective amount of at least one biocide.

The invention further provides that the feed formulation comprises aneffective amount of a penetrant.

The invention further provides a leafy vegetable plant, wherein (a) theroots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution thatcomprises less than the plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements; and(b) a leaf of the plant is in contact with a foliar feed formulationcomprising a nutritionally effective amount of at least one amino acid,which upon uptake, becomes a substantial source of nitrogen for saidplant.

The invention also provides a hydroponic system for feeding a leafyvegetable plant through its foliage comprising: (a) a means for applyinga foliar feed formulation to a leaf of a leafy vegetable plant, (b) ameans for facilitating contact of the roots of the plant with anincomplete water solution, (c) a leafy vegetable plant, wherein (1) theroots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution thatcomprises less than the plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements; and(2) a leaf of the plant is in contact with a foliar feed formulationcomprising a nutritionally effective amount of at least one amino acid,which upon uptake, becomes a substantial source of nitrogen for saidplant.

The invention also provides a foliar feed formulation for a leafyvegetable plant comprising nutritionally effective amounts of: anitrogen source, a phosphorus source, a potassium source, a calciumsource, a magnesium source, a sulfur source, a zinc source, a coppersource, an iron source, a manganese source, a boron source, a molybdenumsource, a chlorine source, a nickel source, and a penetrant, whereinadministration of said foliar feed formulation to a leaf of said plantsupplies a nutritionally effective amount of at least one amino acid,which upon uptake, becomes a substantial source of nitrogen for saidplant, when the roots of said plant are (i) not in substantial contactwith soil or (ii) are in contact with an incomplete water solution thatcomprises less than the plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements.

In some aspects of the invention, the at least one amino acid in saidformulation, plant, or system, becomes the main source of nitrogen forsaid plant.

The invention provides a hydroponic system that feeds a leafy vegetableplant through its foliage using a foliar feed formulation comprising theplant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients. The inventiontherefore does not require that the mineral nutrients be fed through theplant roots as is the case in traditional root-fed hydroponic systems.In this invention, the roots of the plant may be in contact with only anincomplete water solution that comprises just hydrogen and oxygen. Insuch case, carbon would be taken up by photosynthesis.

The present invention requires less infrastructure, monitoring, and/ormaintenance than traditional hydroponic systems because it does notrequire, for example, the assaying of a root-applied mineral nutrientsolution for ion composition and supplementing (renewing) of anyessential nutrients. The tools and knowledgeable persons for performingsuch assays or supplementation are likewise not required. As aconsequence, the present invention can be used not only in geographicareas where soils are devoid of essential mineral nutrients (as is thecase with traditional hydroponic systems), but also in economic areasthat do not have or cannot afford complex and expensive traditionalhydroponic infrastructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

FIG. 1 (hereinafter FIG. 1) depicts the number of leaves on experimentaland control plants when grown as is described within Example 4. See alsoTable 3. The measurements for cups 1 to 5 are given bottom to top,respectively. Data obtained at week 3, week 4, week 5, and week 6 ispresented in that order from left to right.

FIG. 2 (hereinafter FIG. 2) depicts the length of the longest leaf, incentimeters (cm), of experimental and control plants when grown as isdescribed within Example 4. See also Table 4. The measurements for cups1 to 5 are given bottom to top, respectively. Data obtained at week 3,week 4, week 5, and week 6 is presented in that order from left toright.

FIG. 3 (hereinafter FIG. 3) depicts the width of the longest leaf, incentimeters (cm), of experimental and control plants when grown as isdescribed within Example 4. See also Table 5. The measurements for cups1 to 5 are given bottom to top, respectively. Data obtained at week 3,week 4, week 5, and week 6 is presented in that order from left toright.

FIG. 4 (hereinafter FIG. 4) depicts the length of the petiole of thelongest leaf, in centimeters (cm), of experimental and control plantswhen grown as is described within Example 4. See also Table 6. Themeasurements for cups 1 to 5 are given bottom to top, respectively. Dataobtained at week 3, week 4, week 5, and week 6 is presented in thatorder from left to right.

FIG. 5 (hereinafter FIG. 5) depicts a hydroponic system and,specifically, shows a top view of an experimental cup as describedwithin Example 4. As is shown, the experimental cup is attached to araft and the roots of the plant growing within the cup have passedthrough the cup perforations. The roots of the plant were submerged inriver water during growth. FIG. 5 shows the top view after the cup andraft have been lifted from the river.

FIG. 6 (hereinafter FIG. 6) depicts a hydroponic system and,specifically, shows a side view of an experimental cup as describedwithin Example 4. As is shown, the experimental cup is attached to araft and the roots of the plant growing within the cup have passedthrough perforations within the cup. The roots of the plant extend passthe raft structure and toward the incomplete water solution (here, riverwater). The roots of the plant were submerged in river water duringgrowth. FIG. 6 provides a side view after the cup and raft have beenlifted from the stream.

FIG. 7 (hereinafter FIG. 7) depicts a hydroponic system and,specifically, shows a side view of a raft to which several experimentaland control cups have been attached. The experimental and control cupsare as described in Example 4. FIG. 7 further depicts the roots of theplants extending toward the depicted incomplete water solution (riverwater). The roots of the plant were submerged in river water duringgrowth. FIG. 7 provides a side view after the cup and raft have beenlifted from the stream.

FIG. 8 (hereinafter FIG. 8) depicts the average number of leaves ofexperimental and control plants when grown as is described withinExample 5. The averages and standard deviation values depicted are asprovided in Table 8.

FIG. 9 (hereinafter FIG. 9) depicts the average length of the longestleaf, in centimeters (cm), of experimental and control plants when grownas is described within Example 5. The averages and standard deviationvalues depicted are as provided in Table 10.

FIG. 10 (hereinafter FIG. 10) depicts the average plant height, incentimeters (cm), of experimental and control plants when grown as isdescribed within Example 5. The averages and standard deviation valuesdepicted are as provided in Table 12.

FIGS. 11A-11C (hereinafter FIGS. 11A-11C) depict Romaine lettuce plantsgrown in sand medium as described in Example 3. FIG. 11A depicts plantsafter two weeks of growth, FIG. 11B depicts plants after four weeks ofgrowth, and FIG. 11C depicts plants after six weeks of growth. Plantsshown in FIGS. 11A(ii), 11B(i), and 11C(i) received 1 spray (˜0.25 mL)of the formula described in Table 1C per day. Plants shown in FIG.11A(i), 11B(ii), and 11C(ii) received 1 spray (˜0.25 mL) of well waterper day.

FIGS. 12A-12C (hereinafter FIGS. 12A-12C) depict Romaine lettuce plantsgrown in inert (unfertilized) garden soil as described in Example 3.FIG. 12A depicts plants after two weeks of growth, FIG. 12B depictsplants after four weeks of growth, and FIG. 12C depicts plants after sixweeks of growth. Plants shown in FIGA. 12A(i), 12B(i), and 12C(i)received 1 spray (˜0.25 mL) of the formula described in Table 1C perday. Plants shown in FIGS. 12A(ii), 12B(ii), and 12C(ii) received 1spray (˜0.25 mL) of well water per day.

FIGS. 13A-13C (hereinafter FIGS. 13A-13C) depict kale plants grown insand after four weeks as described in Example 6. Plants depicted in FIG.13A were sprayed with Jack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer atevery watering. Plants depicted in FIG. 13B were sprayed with PetersExcel CalMag (with Tween 20; 0.5% (v/v)) at every watering. Plantsdepicted in FIG. 13C were sprayed with the formula described in Table 13at every watering. FIGS. 13A(i), 13B(i), and 13C(i) provide a side viewof the plants, and FIGS. 13A(ii), 13B(ii), and 13C(ii) provide an aerialview of the plants.

FIGS. 14A-14F (hereinafter FIGS. 14A-14F) depict Romaine lettuce(‘Outredgeous’) plants grown indoors in sand as described in Example 7.FIG. 14A depicts plants sprayed with the formula described in Table 13(i), Peters Excel CalMag (with Tween 20; 0.5% (v/v)) (ii), or Jack'sProfessional Water Soluble Fertilizer (iii) at day 0. FIG. 14B depictsplants sprayed with the formula described in Table 13 (i), Peters ExcelCalMag (with Tween 20; 0.5% (v/v)) (ii), or Jack's Professional WaterSoluble Fertilizer (iii) at day 14. FIG. 14C depicts plants sprayed withthe formula described in Table 13 (i), Peters Excel CalMag (with Tween20; 0.5% (v/v)) (ii), or Jack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer(iii) at day 23. FIG. 14D provides a side view of plants sprayed withthe formula described in Table 13 (i), Peters Excel CalMag (with Tween20; 0.5% (v/v)) (ii), or Jack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer(iii) at day 23. FIG. 14E depicts plants sprayed with the formuladescribed in Table 13 (i), Peters Excel CalMag (with Tween 20; 0.5%(v/v)) (ii), or Jack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer (iii) atday 30. FIG. 14F depicts plants sprayed with the formula described inTable 13 (i), Peters Excel CalMag (with Tween 20; 0.5% (v/v)) (ii), orJack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer (iii) at day 33.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION General Definitions

To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, a number ofterms and phrases are defined below. Art-recognized synonyms oralternatives of the following terms and phrases, even if notspecifically described, are contemplated.

As used in the present disclosure and claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural forms unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise; i.e., “a” means “one or more” unless indicated otherwise.

The terms “about” or “approximately” mean roughly, around, or in theregions of. The terms “about” or “approximately” further mean within anacceptable contextual error range for the particular value as determinedby one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on howthe value is measured or determined, i.e. the limitations of themeasurement system or the degree of precision required for a particularpurpose, e.g. the amount of a nutrient within a feeding formulation.When the terms “about” or “approximately” are used in conjunction with anumerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundariesabove and below the numerical values set forth. For example “betweenabout 5.5 to 6.5 g/l” means the boundaries of the numerical range extendbelow 5.5 and above 6.5 so that the particular value in questionachieves the same functional result as within the range. For example,“about” and “approximately” can mean within 1 or more than 1 standarddeviation as per the practice in the art. Alternatively, “about” and“approximately” can mean a range of up to 20%, preferably up to 10%,more preferably up to 5%, and more preferably up to 1% of a given value.

The term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A and/or B” is intendedto include “A and B,” “A or B,” “A,” and “B.” Likewise, the term“and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and/or C” is intended toencompass each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; Aor C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone);and C (alone).

Unless specified otherwise, all of the designations “A %-B %,” “A-B %,”“A % to B %,” “A to B %,” “A %-B,” “A % to B” are given their ordinaryand customary meaning. In some embodiments, these designations aresynonyms.

An “incomplete water solution” is a source of H₂O that comprises lessthan the plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements. An incomplete watersolution may also be a source of H₂O that does not comprise all of aplant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients. Preferably, anincomplete water solution in this invention comprises an incompleteprofile of (less than a full complement of) a plant's nutritionallyrequired mineral nutrients. Such incomplete water solution may be, forexample, from fresh bodies of water including surface water of a river,stream, glacier, bog, aquifer, pond, canal, or lake that comprises highamounts of a certain mineral nutrient but insufficient amounts of, or noamounts of, another mineral nutrient. Preferably, an incomplete watersolution comprises trace amounts of mineral nutrients. Such incompletewater solution may be, for example, groundwater or well water, or waterprovided by a municipality (e.g., tap water) (see Christie at 15). Anincomplete water solution may comprise filtered water. Most preferably,an incomplete water solution comprises no detectable amounts of at leastone or more mineral nutrient. Such incomplete water solution may be, forexample, deionized (DI) water. For embodiments of the presentlydescribed hydroponics system wherein the incomplete water solutioncomprises fresh water (water retrieved from fresh bodies of water orthat is groundwater, well water, filtered water, or DI water, forexample), the system may be referred to as a “freshwaterponics” system.For embodiments of the presently described hydroponics system whereinthe incomplete water solution comprises fresh water retrieved from ariver, a stream, or a similar flowing body of water, the system may bereferred to as a “riverponics” system. An incomplete water solution ofthe present invention may be added to or be in contact with an inertmedium wherein the inert medium does not supply a plant with the plant'snutritionally required mineral nutrients. Exemplary inert mediumsinclude sand, gravel, peat, clay pellets, vermiculite, pumice, perlite,coco coir, sawdust, rice hulls, mineral wool, foam, sponge, polyurethanegrow slabs, and coconut husk (see, e.g., Resh at 2; Asao at preface). Incertain embodiments, the incomplete water solution of the presentinvention has a pH of about 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3,5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, or 6.5. Incertain embodiments, the incomplete water solution of the presentinvention has a pH of between about 4.5 and 5.0, 5.0 and 5.5, 5.5 and6.0, or 6.0 and 6.5.

The terms “substantially” or “substantial” mean that the conditiondescribed or claimed functions in all important aspects as the standarddescribed. Thus, “substantially free” is meant to encompass conditionsthat function in all important aspects as free conditions, even if thenumerical values indicate the presence of some impurities or substances.A substance that is “not in substantial contact with soil” is inconditions that function in all important aspects as having no contactwith soil. A substance such as, for example, an amino acid, that is “asubstantial source of nitrogen for said plant” is one that functions, inall important aspects, as providing the primary source of nitrogen tosaid plant. “Substantial” generally means a value greater than 90%,preferably greater than 95%, most preferably greater than 99%. Whereparticular values are used in the specification and in the claims,unless otherwise stated, the term “substantially” means with anacceptable error range for the particular value. The term “main” whenused as “the main source of nitrogen,” means that there are essentiallyno other sources of nitrogen for the plant.

The term “penetrant” means a substance that aids in the movement of amineral or compound across the waxy layers or cuticle of a plant. A“penetrant” may be a humectant (a hygroscopic substance that can,therefore, attract and hold water molecules (see, e.g., P. J. G.Stevens, Formulation of Sprays to Improve the Efficacy of FoliarFertilisers, 24 New Zealand J. of Forestry Sci. 27, 30 (1994)(hereinafter Stevens); U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,443). Humectants are known bythe art and include, for example, glycerine, ethylene, glycol, propyleneglycol, polyethylene glycole, sorbitol, sodium lactate, and sodiumpolyacrylate (U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,443). A “penetrant” may also be a“sticking agent” (has the effect of increasing the adhesion between twoor more substances). Sticking agents are known by the art and include,for example, carboxymethyl cellulose; casein; latex based products likeProlong® (Holland Fyto B.V., The Netherlands) and Bond® (LovelandIndustries Ltd); pinolene/terpene based products like Nu-film®(Hygrotech Saad) and Spray-Fast® (Mandops); long chain polysaccharideslike xanthan gum, gellan gum and guar gum; polymer or copolymer from atype of polymer such as polyacrylate and polyethylene (e.g., Neocryl®(DSM, The Netherlands); and CAPSIL® (AQUATROLS®, Paulsboro N.J.) (see,e.g., Midwest Laboratories, FOLIAR NUTRITION, 8-13 (1994) (hereinafterMidwest Laboratories); U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,078,401; 8,729,342; 5,780,390;5,424,072; 2,481,100; U.S. Pre-grant Publication No. 2003/0125212; seealso Fageria at 1058). Preferably, a penetrant is an adjuvant.Preferably, a penetrant is a solvent, surfactant, wetting agent, ordetergent. Preferably, a penetrant is a nonionic surfactant. Mostpreferably, a penetrant is a polar aprotic solvent or an anionicdetergent. An effective amount of a particular penetrant which may beadded to, for example, a foliar feed formulation so as to have apenetrating, humectant, and/or sticking effect is known by a personhaving skill in the art or may be determined using routineexperimentation and known techniques. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.9,078,401; 8,729,342; 5,780,390; 5,424,072; 2,481,100; U.S. Pre-grantPublication No. 2003/0125212; Fageria at 1058; Stevens at 28-31; MidwestLaboratories).

The term “biocompatible” means that the referenced thing or activity isable to perform its desired function without having an injurious,undesired, or toxic biological effect on a plant or on an animal (e.g.,a human) ingesting it. For example, a biocompatible polar aproticsolvent that is applied to a plant is a solvent that has polar aproticsolvent properties but does not have an injurious, undesired, or toxiceffect on the plant or humans. Similarly, for example, a biocompatibleanionic detergent that is applied to a plant is a detergent havinganionic detergent properties but does not have an injurious, undesired,or toxic effect on the plant or humans.

A “solvent” is a substance able to dissolve other substances. A solventis not limited to being in a liquid state. A solvent may be, forexample, a solid.

A “polar aprotic solvent” is a solvent with a partial charge (a dipolemoment) but that cannot form hydrogen bonds. A polar aprotic solvent ispreferably dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate,acetonitrile, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO),acetone, or hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPT). A polar aproticsolvent is preferably DMF or DMSO. DMSO is the most preferred polaraprotic solvent.

A “gelling agent” is a substance used to increase exposure time offoliar feed solution to leaves. Specific examples of gelling agentsinclude, for example, psyllium powder, Carbopol® 934P, methylcellulose,hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, guargum, and hydrocolloid agar (see e.g., S. B. Babbar, R. Jain, and N.Walia, Guar Gum as a Gelling Agent for Plant Tissue Culture Media, 41 InVitro Cellular and Developmental Biology—Plant 3:258-261 (2005); A.Hallman, Algal Transgenics and Biotechnology, 1 Transgenic Plant Journal81-98 (2007). An effective amount of a gelling agent is the amount ofgelling agent needed to effectively increase the time that a foliar feedformulation remains in contact with the leaf of a plant.

A “biocide” is a substance that will prevent, diminish, or decrease thegrowth and/or proliferation of unwanted vegetable, animal, ormicrobiological contaminants. Biocides include, for example, fungicides,algaecides, bactericides, and virucides. Specific examples of biocidesinclude, for example, neem oil, tobacco tea (combine 5 ml dust fromshredded tobacco leaves, 3 ml liquid soap, 5 ml black pepper, and 4 lH₂O), soap (sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, lye, and lard);Murphy® Oil Soap, copper sulfate, Cutrine®, Algimycin®, chelated copper,potassium permanganate, potassium sorbate, 1, 2-benZiso-thiaZolin-3-one(e.g., trade name, Proxel GXL), 5-chloro-2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiaZolone(e.g., trade name, Kathon), o-phenylphenol, sodium o-phenylphenate,cis-1-(chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaZa-1-azoniaada-mantane chloride, 7-ethylbicyclooxazolidine, 2,2-dibromo 3-nitrilopropionamide, bronopol,glutaraldehyde, copper hydroxide, cresol, dichlorophen, dipyrithione,dodidin, fenaminosulf, formaldehyde, hydrargaphen, 8-hydroxyquinolinesulfate, kasugamycin, nitrapyrin, octhilinone, oxolinic acid,oxytetracycline, probenaZole, streptomycin, tecloftalam, thimerosal,polyquaternary ammonium chloride, and alkylbenZyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride (see e.g., HANDBOOK OF COPPER COMPOUNDS AND APPLICATIONS 93-142(H. Wayne Richardson ed., 1997); U.S. Pre-grant Publication No.2006/0166898). An effective amount of a biocide is the amount of biocideneeded to effectively prevent, diminish, or decrease the growth and/orproliferation of unwanted vegetable, animal, or microbiologicalcontaminants.

A “detergent” is a “surfactant” or “wetting agent” and therefore lowersthe surface tension between two other substances. A detergent alsosolubilizes a substance by, for example, dissociating aggregates orunfolding proteins.

An “anionic detergent,” also referred to as an “anionic surfactant,” isa detergent with a net negative charge (Manisha mishra et al., Basicsand Potential Applications of Sufactants—A Review, 1 International J. ofPharmTech Rsch. 1354 (2009) (hereinafter Manisha mishra)). Preferably ananionic detergent is an alkylbenzene sulfonate, a secondary alkanesulfonate (SAS) including an alkylethoxy sulfonate, an olefinsulfonate,an ester sulfonate, a fatty acid isothionate, a sulfosuccinate ester, asulfonated amide, a sulfate ester, a carboxylate (soap) including asulfosuccinate, a phosphate ester, or a fluorinated surfactant (see,e.g., U.S Pre-grant Publication No. 2006/0019830). Specific examples ofsuch anionic detergents are known by the art and include, for example,sodium cocoyl isethionate (ISE), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in liquidor powdered form, sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), disodium lauryl3-ethoxysulfosuccinate (SUC), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA or PFO),perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), ammoniumlauryl sulfate, ammonium tallowate, sodium stearate, sodium lauryl ethersulfate (SLES), sodium oleyl sulfate, sulfated castor oil, ammoniumlauryl ether sulfate, ammonium nonylphenol ether sulfate, petroleumsulfonates, sodium (linear) dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium (branched)dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dibutylnapthalene sulfonate, alphaolefin sulfonates, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, disodiumlaurylsulfosuccinate, disodium N-alkylsulfosuccinamate, sodium N-methylN-coco taurate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, N-lauroyl sarcosine, alkylbenzene sulfonate, calcium dodecylbenzene sulphonate, sulphated orphosphated fatty alcohols/fatty alcohol polyehters, fatty acid salts,alkyl polyether carboxylates and their salts (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.8,017,566; U.S. Pre-grant Publication No. 2006/0019830; U.S. Pre-grantPublication No. 2012/0312059).

“Nonionic surfactants” include, but are not limited to, alkylpolyethylene oxide, alkylphenol polyethylene oxide, copolymers ofpolyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide (i.e., poloxamers orpoloxamines), alkyl polyglucosides such as octyl glucoside and decylmaltoside, fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol and oleyl alcohol,cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA, and polysorbates such as Tween 20, Tween 80,and dodecyl dimethylamine oxide (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,078,401;3,657,443; Stevens; Midwest Laboratories).

An “effective amount” means an amount sufficient to cause the referencedeffect or outcome. An “effective amount” can be determined empiricallyand in a routine manner using known techniques in relation to the statedpurpose.

A “nutritionally effective amount” means the amount that is necessary tosustain plant growth and metabolism.

“Uptake” means the action by the plant or by microorganisms therein oftaking up, assimilating, or making use of a nutrient, mineral, water, ornitrogen that is available, and that operates by any chemical, physical,biological, or microbiological mechanism.

“Essentially free,” as in “essentially free from” or “essentially freeof,” means comprising less than a detectable level of a referencedmaterial or comprising only unavoidable levels of a referenced material.For example, an incomplete water solution that comprises only traceamounts of a mineral nutrient is essentially free of mineral nutrients.In certain embodiments, “not in substantial contact with soil,” forexample, is equivalent to “essentially free from contact with soil.”

The terms “applying,” “applied,” “application” and other tenses thereofrefer to causing, or having caused, contact between two substances.Unless stated otherwise, the way in which application is made is notlimited. For example, application of a feed formulation onto a plant maybe via, for example, spraying, misting, dropping, dripping, soaking,throwing, spreading, brushing, dipping, dunking, or submerging. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,919,038; 5,557,884; 5,394,647; 5,073,401;4,965,962; 4,756,120; 4,607,454; 4,468,885; 4,399,634; 4,279,101. Theterms “supply,” “supplies,” “supplying,” “supplied” and other tensesthereof refer to providing, or making available, the referencesubstance(s). The bioavailability of a substance, or the proportion ofthe absorbed substance that is utilized for normal (wild type) metabolicand/or physiological function or storage, may be specified.

The terms “in contact with,” “contacting,” “contact,” and other tensesthereof refer to a touching of two or more reference substances. Unlessstated otherwise, the way in which a first substance is in contact withat least a second substance is not limited. In certain embodiments, “incontact with” means “coated” or “covered” with at least a secondsubstance. In such embodiments, it may be specified that the secondsubstance is non-solid state of matter such as, for example, a liquid,steam, mist, or fog. In some embodiments and when the second substanceis a liquid, the first substance being “at least about 80% in contact”with a second substance means the first substance is “submerged” withinthe second substance. It may be specified that a first substance is“partially submerged” (at least about 80% but less than 100% submerged)or “completely submerged” (100% submerged) within the second substance.It may be specified that a percent range of a first substance's surfacearea or length is in contact with an at least one second substance. Forexample, it may be specified that between about 1%-5%, 1%-10%, 5%-10%,5%-15%, 10%-15%, 10%-20%, 15%-20%, 20%-30%, 20%-25%, 20%-30%, 30%-35%,30%-40%, 35%-40%, 35%-45%, 40%-45%, 40%-50%, 45%-50%, 45%-55%, 50%-55%,50%-60%, 55%-60%, 55%-65%, 60%-65%, 60%-70%, 65%-70%, 65%-75%, 70%-75%,70%-80%, 75%-80%, 75%-85%, 80%-85%, 80%-90%, 85%-90%, 85%-95%, 90%-95%,90%-100%, 95%-100% of the surface area or length of a first substance isin contact with a second substance. It may be further specified that apercentage of a first substance's surface area or length is contacted.For example, it may be specified that about or at least about 1%, 2%,3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%,97%, 98%, 99% or 100% of the surface area or length of a first substanceis in contact with a second substance. Preferably, the first substanceis a plant or plant part. Preferably, the first substance is the plantroots. Preferably, the second substance is an incomplete water solution.Preferably, the second substance is an incomplete water solutionessentially free of mineral nutrients. Most preferably, the firstsubstance is submerged in the second substance, the first substance isthe plant roots, and the second substance is an incomplete watersolution essentially free of mineral nutrients. Means for coating plantroots with an incomplete water solution includes a receptacle into whichthe roots may be placed (e.g., a tank, reservoir, or tub); a spraydispenser (e.g., a spray bottle or a hose); a fog or mist machine, adroplet dispenser; an absorbent article comprising natural or syntheticmaterial(s) that may hold (absorb) the incomplete water solution and befastened to the plant roots (e.g., cloth, string, moss, felt, tape,sponge, or foam). See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,919,038; 5,557,884. Incertain embodiments (e.g., freshwaterponics or riverponics systems), ameans for coating plant roots with an incomplete water solution is acarrier in contact with the incomplete water solution (e.g., the body offreshwater or river).

The terms “carrier” and “support structure(s)” refer to a device able tohold a plant or plant part in a particular position. Preferably, acarrier holds the shoot of a plant in an upright position and so thatthe plant roots may be in contact with an incomplete water solution.Preferably, a carrier is a raft holding or floating the shoot of a plantout of an incomplete water solution and yet permitting the roots of theplant to be submerged within the incomplete water solution. Mostpreferably the carrier is a float, raft, or cup (a “net cup” or “netpot”) supporting the plant shoot and comprising holes sufficient for theroots of a plant to be submerged within an incomplete water solution.Means for carrying or supporting the shoot of a plant while permittingthe roots of the plant to be submerged within an incomplete watersolution include a raft, a float, a cup (e.g., a net cup), and asuspension clamp and an anchoring cable or stake. (U.S. Pat. Nos.8,919,038; 5,073,401; 5,557,884; 5,394,647; 4,965,962; 4,756,120;4,607,454; 4,468,885; 4,399,634; 4,279,101; Resh at pages 129-149)

The growth, development, and/or yield of a plant or plant part producedby a presently described hydroponic system may be compared to a plant orplant part of the same type (plant species) that was fed or nourishedvia root-feeding with soil or, for example, a water culture hydroponicsystem wherein the water culture supplies the roots with all of theplant's nutritional nitrogen requirements or wherein the water culturesupplies the roots with all of the plant's nutritionally requiredmineral nutrients. It may be specified that the plant or plant partdescribed herein has about a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%,50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%, 101%,102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 110%, 115%, 120%, 130% increase or decrease ingrowth, development, and/or yield as compared to the same plant typethat is root-fed during growth. It may be specified that the percentincrease or decrease is a rate percent (e.g., a 1% increase in the rateof head formation as compared to a comparable root-fed plant) or yieldmeasurement percent (e.g., a 1% increase in the length of the longestleaf as compared to a root-fed plant of the same type). Likewise, it maybe specified that a plant or plant part grown as described herein has a1-, 1.5-, 2-, 2.5-, 3-, 3.5-, 4-, 4.5- or 5-fold increase or decrease ingrowth, development, and/or yield as compared to the same plant typethat is root-fed during growth. It may be specified that the foldincrease or decrease is a rate percent (e.g., a 1-fold increase in therate of head formation as compared to a comparable root-fed plant) orfold increase in a yield measurement (e.g., a 1-fold increase in thelength of the longest leaf as compared to a root-fed plant of the sametype).

Nutrient Definitions

The terms “nourishing,” “nourishment,” “nourished,” “nourish,” and othertenses of thereof refer to making available to a plant all of itsnutritional nitrogen requirements or making available to the plant allof its nutritionally required nutrients. In some embodiments,“nourishment” refers to either having made all of the nutritionallyrequired nitrogen or all of the nutritionally required nutrientsavailable to the plant or the composition itself that provided thosenutrients to the plant. In further embodiments, “nourishing” is asynonym for “feeding.” Preferably, nourishing a plant refers toproviding to a plant all of the plant's nutritional nitrogenrequirements or all of the plant's nutritionally required mineralnutrients (i.e., the plant's carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen needs may bemet by, in addition to nourishing, exposure to the atmosphere) and,optionally, an additive. What constitutes a plant's nutritional nitrogenrequirements or a plant's nutritionally required nutrients andnutritionally required mineral nutrients as well as whether or not suchnutrients have been provided to the plant are well understood by thoseof skill in the art and may be determined by routine experimentationusing known techniques. See, e.g., Agronomic Division of the N.C. Dept.of Agriculture & Consumer Services, NCDA&CS PLANT TISSUE ANALYSIS GUIDE(McGinnis et al., eds. 2014) (hereinafter McGinnis); Univ. of ArizonaCooperative Extension, GUIDE TO SYMPTOMS OF PLANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES(Hosier et al., eds. 1999) (hereinafter Hosier); Montana StateUniversity Extension, PLANT NUTRIENT FUNCTIONS AND DEFICIENCY ANDTOXICITY Symptoms (McCauley et al., eds. 2011) (hereinafter McCauley);Soil and Plant Analysis Council, Inc., HANDBOOK OF REFERENCE METHODS FORPLANT ANALYSIS (Yash P. Kalra, ed., 1998) (hereinafter Kalra);Muñoz-Huerta et al., A Review of Methods for Sensing the Nitrogen Statusin Plants: Advantages, Disadvantages and Recent Advances, 13 Sensors10823 (2013) (hereinafter Mufioz-Huerta); Tezotto et al., SimpleProcedure for Nutrient Analysis of Coffee Plant with Energy DispersiveX-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF), 70 Sci. Agric. 263 (2013)(hereinafter Tezotto); Resh pages 34-118.

The terms “feed,” “fed,” “feeding” and other tenses thereof refer toproviding a plant with sufficient amounts of nitrogen or sufficientamounts of the nutrients the plant requires for normal (wild type)growth and development. In some embodiments, “feeding” is a synonym for“nourishing.” Preferably, feed refers to applying a substance thatcomprises all of the plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements or all ofthe plant's nutritionally required nutrients to a plant. Preferably,feed refers to applying a substance that comprises the plant'snutritionally required mineral nutrients, and optionally an additive, tothat plant (i.e., the plant's carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen needs may bemet by, in addition to nourishing, exposure to the atmosphere). Whatconstitutes a plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements or nutritionallyrequired nutrients and nutritionally required mineral nutrients as wellas whether or not such nutrients have been provided to the plant arewell understood by those of skill in the art and may be determined byroutine experimentation using known techniques. See, e.g., McGinnis;Hosier; McCauley; Kalra; Mufioz-Huerta et al.; Tezotto et al.; Reshpages 34-118.

A “feed formulation,” “feed solution,” “nutrient formulation,” “nutrientsolution,” “nourishment media,” “nourishment solution,” “nourishmentformulation,” or “nourishment composition” refers to a substance orcomposition that comprises a plant's nutritional nitrogen requirementsor a plant's nutritionally required nutrients and, optionally, anadditive. Preferably, a feed formulation comprises a plant'snutritionally required mineral nutrients and, optionally, an additive(i.e., the feed formulation does not meet the plant's complete carbon,oxygen, and hydrogen needs and the plant therefore requires exposure to,for example, the atmosphere). Preferably, it is specified that the feedformulation is a foliar feed formulation and therefore a substancesuited for application to plant foliage and thereby feeding the plantthrough its foliage. Determining the optimal ratios of nutritionallyrequired mineral nutrients and/or additives in a feed formulation tomaximize plant growth is well understood by those of skill in the artand may be determined by routine experimentation using known techniques.

The term “complement” means to meet or complete a requirement. Incertain embodiments, “complement” refers to a thing or amount of asubstance that meets or completes a requirement. For example, a“complement” of a plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements or of aplant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients means the amount ofeach mineral nutrient equal to that which is the plant's nutritionalrequirement for mineral nutrients (i.e., a “full complement”). It may bespecified that “less than a full complement” of a requirement isprovided. Where, for example, “complement” is used with respect to aplant's nutritional nitrogen requirements or a plant's nutritionallyrequired mineral nutrients, it may be specified that a full complementof a first mineral nutrient is provided but that a less than fullcomplement of a second mineral nutrient is provided. It may be furtherspecified that a percentage of a full complement is provided as in, forexample, that about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%,70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% of a full complementis provided by a referenced substance or action. It may be furtherspecified that a range of percentages of a full complement is providedas in, for example, that between about 1%-5%, 1%-10%, 5%-10%, 5%-15%,10%-15%, 10%-20%, 15%-20%, 20%-30%, 20%-25%, 20%-30%, 30%-35%, 30%-40%,35%-40%, 35%-45%, 40%-45%, 40%-50%, 45%-50%, 45%-55%, 50%-55%, 50%-60%,55%-60%, 55%-65%, 60%-65%, 60%-70%, 65%-70%, 65%-75%, 70%-75%, 70%-80%,75%-80%, 75%-85%, 80%-85%, 80%-90%, 85%-90%, 85%-95%, 90%-95%, 90%-100%,95%-100% of a full complement is provided.

“Essential,” “vital,” “required,” and “necessary” are given theirordinary and customary meaning. In certain embodiments, “essential,”“vital,” “required,” and “necessary” are synonyms.

“Nutritionally required” means the referenced substance or action isnecessary to meet a plant's nutritional requirements for wild typegrowth and development. A substance is nutritionally required if a plantcannot complete its life cycle in the absence of the substance, no othersubstance can wholly substitute for it, and the substance is directlyinvolved in the plant's nutrition (e.g., the substance is a constituentof a necessary metabolite or required for the action of a necessaryenzyme) (Resh at 34-37; Fageria at 1045-1060). Whether a substance isnutritionally required by a plant are well understood by those of skillin the art and may be determined by routine experimentation using knowntechniques. See, e.g., McGinnis; Hosier; McCauley; Kalra; Muñoz-Huerta;Tezotto; Resh at 34-118.

“Nutritionally-effective” or “nutritionally-sufficient” or “nutritional”means an adequate amount and proportion of a referenced substance orgroup of substances to, for example, meet a plant's nutritionalrequirements for wild type plant growth and development. For example, a“plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements” means an adequate amount andproportion of nitrogen to meet a plant's nutritional nitrogenrequirements for wild type plant growth and development. Whatconstitutes an adequate amount and proportion is well understood bythose of skill in the art and may be determined by routineexperimentation using known techniques. See, e.g., McGinnis; Hosier;McCauley; Kalra; Muñoz-Huerta; Tezotto; Resh at 34-118.

“Nutrient-deficient,” “nutritionally-deficient,” or“nutritionally-defective” refers to less than an adequate amount andproportion of a referenced substance or group of substances that arerequired to meet the nutritional requirements for a plant's wild typegrowth and development. It may be specified that a reference is about10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%,80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% deficient for, forexample, a specific nutrient or a group of nutrients that are requiredto meet the nutritional requirements of a plant for its wild type growthand development. Whether or not something is nutrient-deficient, and howto determine the same, is well understood by those of skill in the artand may be determined by routine experimentation using known techniques.See, e.g., McGinnis; Hosier; McCauley; Kalra; Muñoz-Huerta; Tezotto;Resh at 34-118.

“Mineral nutrients” are essential elements and minerals needed by aplant for the plant's normal growth and development (Resh at 34-37; Asaoat preface and pages 1-2). As used here, “mineral nutrients” excludesthe macronutrients carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbon, hydrogen, andoxygen are non-mineral macronutrients primarily supplied to the plant bythe atmosphere and water (Resh at 34-37; Asao at 2). “Mineral nutrients”may be used to refer to one of, some of, or all of a plant'snutritionally required mineral nutrients. In certain embodiments, forexample, “mineral nutrients” may refer to a plant's nutritionallyrequired mineral micronutrients. In another embodiment, for example,“mineral nutrients” may refer to a plant's nutritionally requiredcalcium, sulfur, and boron.

The term “additive” refers to a molecule or compound within, forexample, a feeding formulation that is not nutritionally essential forplant growth and development. In certain embodiments, an additive is afungicide (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,466,087; 7,098,170), a pesticide (whichincludes insecticides and bactericides) (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,466,087;7,098,170), an herbicide (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,466,087; 7,098,170), achelating agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), acytokinin hormone (e.g., zeatin), a gibberellin hormone (e.g.,gibberellic acid), lactic acid (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,506), thiamin, apenetrant, a dye, a fragrance-altering substance (including an oil or aflavonoid), an effective amount of a microorganism culture beneficialfor plant growth (e.g., a culture of mixed, fermented microorganisms)(see U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,097,280; 7,771,504; 6,228,806; U.S. Pre-grantPublication No. 2012/0015806), or combinations thereof. In otherembodiments, an additive is a “nutrient additive” that, while notrequired, is a nutrient beneficial for plant growth. Such nutrientadditives include iodine, cobalt, a source thereof, or combinationsthereof.

The terms “macronutrient,” “macroelement,” and “major nutrient” refer tothe essential elements and minerals that are required at relativelylarge quantities by a plant for the plant's normal (wild type) growthand development (see Resh at pages 34-37; Fageria at 1045). Themacronutrients include the “non-mineral nutrients” carbon (C), hydrogen(H), and oxygen (O) as well as the mineral nutrients phosphorus (P),potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) (see Resh at34-37; Fageria at 1045). The term “mineral macronutrients” refers to P,K, Ca, Mg, and/or S.

The terms “micronutrient,” “microelement,” and “minor nutrient” refer tothe essential elements and minerals that are required at relativelysmall quantities by a plant for the plant's normal (wild type) growthand development (see Resh at 34-37; Fageria at 1045). The micronutrientsinclude the mineral nutrients iron (Fe), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn),boron (B), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and molybdenum (Mo) (see Resh at34-37; Fageria at 1045).

A “nitrogen source” or “nitrogen carrier” is a substance that,optionally through catabolism, can supply a plant with nitrogen,preferably in the form of ammonium nitrogen (NH₄+) or nitrate nitrogen(NO₃−). Sources of nitrogen are well known by the art and include, forexample, ammonia (NH₄+); nitrate (NO₃−); urea; sulfur-coated urea;ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl); potassium nitrate (KNO₃); one or a mixture ofamino acids capable of being taken up by a plant, either naturally ornon-naturally occurring, in the D-L- or racemic forms, including, forexample, alanine, beta-alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid,carnosine, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine,isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine,taurine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, citrulline malate, citrulline, ornatural extracts in aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvents comprisingcitrulline, such as watermelon rind extract, garlic extract, onionextract, fish extract (such as fish oil); ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃);calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂); ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄); ascorbic acid(C₆H₈O₆); ammonium phosphate ((NH₄)₃(PO₄)); diammonium phosphate (DAP or(NH₄)₂(HPO₄); monoammonium phosphate (MPA or NH₄H₂PO₄); and mixturesthereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1; Ludwig, ArabidopsisChloroplasts Dissimilate L-Arginine and L-Citrulline for Use as Nsource, 101 Plant Physiol. 429 (1993)). Among the amino acids useful inthe formulation of the invention are a subset of all the ones notedabove, excluding arginine, citrulline, and citrulline malate.

A “phosphorus source” or “phosphorus carrier” is a substance that,optionally through catabolism, may supply a plant with phosphorus,preferably in the form of dihydrogen phosphate (H₂PO₄P⁻) ororthophosphate ((HPO)₄ ⁻²). Sources of phosphorus are well known by theart and include, for example, inorganic phosphate (Pi or PO₄ ³⁻),dipotassium phosphate (K₂HPO₄), monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄),phosphoric anhydride (P₂O₅), phosphate (PO₄), boron phosphate (BPO₄),diammonium phosphate (DAP or (NH₄)₂HPO₄), monoammonium phosphate (MAP orNH₄H₂PO₄), ammonium phosphate ((NH₄)₃(PO₄)), acetoxyethyl ferrocene,binaphthyl diyl phosphorochloridate, rock phosphate, singlesuperphosphate, triple superphosphate, phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), inositolphosphates (including, for example, phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate(IP₆) or C₆H₁₈O₂₄P₆), myo-inositol, phytate (or pentainositolphosphate), inositol monophosphate, inositol macinate), fermented fruitextract comprising phosphorus and an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent, andmixtures thereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat.No. 6,245,717].

A “potassium source” or “potassium carrier” is a substance that,optionally through catabolism, can supply a plant with potassium,preferably in the form of K+. Sources of potassium are well known by theart and include, for example, potash (potassium hydroxide or K₂O),potassium nitrate (KNOB), monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄), potassiumchloride (KCL), potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), potassium magnesium sulfate(K₂SO₄(2MgSO₄)), potassium iodide, fermented fruit extract comprisingpotassium and an aqueous or non aqueous solvent, and mixtures thereof.

A “calcium source” or “calcium carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with calcium, preferably in theform of Ca²⁺. Sources of calcium are well known by the art and include,for example, calcium oxide (CaO), calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂), calciumchloride (CaCl₂)(6H₂O)), calcium sulfate (CaSO₄(2H₂O)), calciumcarbonate (CaCO₃), calcium silicate (Ca₂SiO₄), rock phosphate, singlesuperphosphate, triple superphosphate, calcium magnesium carbonate(CaMg(CO₃)₂), dolomite (providing calcium magnesium carbonate(CaMg(CO₃)₂), gypsum (providing calcium sulfate (CaSO(2H₂O)),monocalcium phosphate (Ca(H₂PO₄)₂H₂O), shellfish shell extractcomprising calcium and an aqueous or non aqueous solvent, and mixturesthereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat. No.5,634,959).

A “magnesium source” or “magnesium carrier” is a substance that,optionally through catabolism, can supply a plant with magnesium,preferably in the form of Mg²⁺. Sources of magnesium are well known bythe art and include, for example, magnesium oxide (MgO), magnesiumsulfate (MgSO₄), magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO₄ (7H₂O)),magnesium chloride (MgCl₂), potassium magnesium sulfate (K₂SO₄(2MgSO₄)),dolomite (providing calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg(CO₃)₂), andmixtures thereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1).

A “sulfur source” or “sulfur carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with sulfur, preferably in theform of sulfate (SO₄ ⁻²) or sulfur dioxide gas. Sources of sulfur arewell known by the art and include, for example, sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄),ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄), ammonium thiosulfate ((NH₄)₂S₂O₃),potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄), magnesium sulfateheptahydrate (MgSO₄ (7H₂O)), calcium sulfate (CaSO(2H₂O)), monoammoniumphosphate (MPA or NH₄H₂PO₄), single superphosphate, triplesuperphosphate, sulfur-coated urea, potassium magnesium sulfate(K₂SO₄(2MgSO₄)), gypsum (providing calcium sulfate (CaSO(2H₂O)),magnesium sulfate (epsom salt), and mixtures thereof (see, e.g., Resh atTable 3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,437).

A “zinc source” or “zinc carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with zinc, preferably in the formof Zn²⁺. Sources of zinc are well known by the art and include, forexample, zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄(7H₂O)), zinc chloride (ZnCl₂), zinc chelate(e.g., ZnEDTA), zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc acetate (Zn(O₂CCH₃)₂), andmixtures thereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat.No. 3,854,923).

A “copper source” or “copper carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with copper, preferably in theform of Cu²⁺. Sources of copper are well known by the art and include,for example, copper chelate (CuEDTA), cuprous oxide (Cu₂O), cupric oxide(CuO), cuprous phosphate (Cu₃P), cuprous carbonate (Cu₂CO₃), cupricphosphate (Cu₃O₈P₂), cupric carbonate (CuCO₃), cupric sulfate (CuSO₄),cuprous sulfate (Cu₂SO₄), and mixtures thereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,009).

An “iron source” or “iron carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with iron, preferably in the formof ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) or ferric iron (Fe³⁺). Sources of iron are wellknown by the art and include, for example, iron chelates (e.g., FeEDTA),ferric citrate (C₆H₅FeO₇), ferric chloride (FeCl₂(6H₂O)), ferroussulfate (FeSO₄), ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO₄(7H₂O)), andmixtures thereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat.No. 3,753,675).

A “manganese source” or “manganese carrier” is a substance that,optionally through catabolism, can supply a plant with manganese,preferably in the form of Mn²⁺. Sources of manganese are well known bythe art and include, for example, manganese sulfate (MnSO₄(4H₂O)),manganese chloride (MnCl₂(4H₂O)), manganese chelate (e.g., MnEDTA),manganese oxide (MnO), manganese acetate (Mn(CH₃COO)₂), manganesenitrate (Mn(NO₃)₂), manganese phosphate (Mn₃(PO₄)₂), and mixturesthereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat. No.5,797,976).

A “boron source” or “boron carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with boron, preferably in theform of boric acid (H₃BO₃) or borate (H₂BO³⁻). Sources of boron are wellknown by the art and include, for example, sodium borate (borax orBNa₃O₃), boron phosphate (BPO₄), calcium borate (Ca₃(BO₃)₂), potassiumborohydrate (KBH₄), boron trioxide (B₂O₃), potassium borotartrate(C₄H₆B₂K₂O₁₀), potassium tetraborate (K₂B₄O₇(4H₂O)), sodium borohydride(NaBH₄), sodium tetraborate (Na₂B₄O₇(10H₂O)), and mixtures thereof (see,e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,655,357;6,874,277).

A “molybdenum source” or “molybdenum carrier” is a substance that,optionally through catabolism, can supply a plant with molybdenum,preferably in the form of molybdate (MoO₄ ²⁻). Sources of molybdenum arewell known by the art and include, for example, ammonium molybdate((NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄), sodium molybdate (Na₆Mo₇O₂₄), molybdenum trioxide(MoO₃), molybdic acid (H₂MoO₄), calcium molybdate (CaMoO₄), potassiummolybdate (K₂MoO₄), and mixtures thereof (see, e.g., Resh at Table 3.2and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,440; U.S. Pre-grant publication No.2013/0219979).

A “chlorine source” or “chlorine carrier” is a substance that,optionally through catabolism, can supply a plant with chlorine. Sourcesof chlorine are well known by the art and include, for example,potassium chloride (KCL), calcium chloride (CaCl₂(6H₂O)), manganesechloride (MnCl₂(4H₂O)), ferric chloride (FeCl₂(6H₂O)), cobaltouschloride (CoCl₂), magnesium chloride (MgCl₂), and mixtures thereof (see,e.g., Resh at Table 3.2 and Table 3.1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,277).

A “nickel source” or “nickel carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with nickel, preferably in theform of Ni²⁺. Sources of nickel are well known by the art and include,for example, nickel lignosulfonate, nickel gluconate, nickel sulfamatetetrahydrate, nickel acetate tetrahydrate, anhydrous nickel salts,hydrated nickel sulfate (NiSO₄(6H₂O)), hydrated nickel nitrate(Ni(NO₃)₂(6H₂O)), hydrated nickel chloride (H₁₂Cl₂NiO₆), and mixturesthereof (U.S. Pre-grant publication No. 2005/0245397).

An “iodine source” or “iodine carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with iodine. Sources of iodineare well known by the art and include, for example, potassium iodide(KI), sodium iodide (NaI), calcium iodide (CaI₂), magnesium iodide(MgI₂), manganese iodide (MnI₂), and mixtures thereof (see, e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 4,699,644).

A “cobalt source” or “cobalt carrier” is a substance that, optionallythrough catabolism, can supply a plant with cobalt. Sources of cobaltare well known by the art and include, for example, cobaltous chloride(CoCl₂), cobalt carbonate (CoCO₃), cobalt sulfate (CoSO₄), cobaltlactate, cobalt acetate, cobalt nitrate (Co(NO₃)₂), and mixtures thereof(see, e.g, U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,572).

Fractions of elements within a compound as well as conversion factorsfor determining how much of a particular mineral nutrient, for example,is being supplied is known by the art (see, e.g., Resh at Chapters 2 and3 and Table 2.1; Midwest Laboratories). Further, the atomic andmolecular weights, solubility, impurity, substitutions, and othercharacteristics of elements and compounds are known sufficient forconstructing a, for example, feed formulation that supplies a plant withits nutritionally required mineral nutrient(s) (see, e.g., Resh atChapters 2 and 3 and Table 2.1; Midwest Laboratories). Furthermodifications to a, for example, feed formulation to accommodatediffering plant species, plant growth stages, plant part and conditions(including weather, light intensity, season) to which or during which afeed formulation is applied are also known by the art (Resh at Chapters2 and 3 and Table 2.1; Midwest Laboratories). In certain embodiments, itmay be specified that a feed formulation provides mineral nutrientssufficient to result in a plant having a concentration in dry tissue ofabout 1.5% nitrogen, 1.0% potassium, 0.5% calcium, 0.2% magnesium, 0.2%phosphorus, 0.1% sulfur, 0.01% chlorine, 0.002% boron, 0.01% iron,0.005% manganese, 0.002% zinc, 0.0006% copper, and 0.00001% molybdenum(Resh at Table 2.1). It may be further specified that the foliar feedformulation comprises between about 3.0 to 9.0 g/l citrulline orcitrulline malate; 0.25 to 0.75 g/l ascorbic acid; 0.25 to 0.75 g/lpotassium chloride; 0.08 to 0.25 g/l monopotassium phosphate; 0.40×10⁻³to 1.3×10⁻³ g/l potassium iodide; 0.12 to 0.40 g/l potassium hydroxide;0.4 to 1.6 g/l calcium chloride; 0.008 to 0.026 g/l magnesium sulfateheptahydrate; 0.13×10⁻² to 0.40×10⁻² g/l zinc sulfate; 0.12×10⁻⁴ to0.25×10⁻⁴ g/l cupric sulfate; 0.005 to 0.015 g/l ferric citrate; 0.008to 0.03 g/l manganese sulfate; 0.30×10⁻² to 0.95×10⁻² g/l boric acid;0.12×10⁻³ to 0.40×10⁻³ g/l sodium molybdate; 0.12×10⁻⁴ to 0.25×10⁻⁴ g/lcobaltous chloride; 1.5 to 4.5 g/l nickel sulfate; 0.05 to 0.15 g/lmyoinositol; 0.25 to 15 ml/l DMSO; 5 to 20 g/l SLES; 0.05 to 0.15 g/lthiamin; 0.01 to 0.06 g/l EDTA disodium dihydrate; 5 to 15 ml/l neemoil; 5 to 15 ml/l tobacco tea; and 5 to 20 g/l psyllium powder. It maybe further specified that the foliar feed formulation comprises betweenabout 3.0 to 9.0 g/l citrulline or citrulline malate; 0.25 to 0.75 g/lascorbic acid; 0.25 to 0.75 g/l potassium chloride; 0.08 to 0.25 g/lmonopotassium phosphate; 0.40×10⁻³ to 1.3×10⁻³ g/l potassium iodide;0.12 to 0.40 g/l potassium hydroxide; 0.4 to 1.6 g/l calcium chloride;0.008 to 0.026 g/l magnesium sulfate heptahydrate; 0.13×10⁻² to0.40×10⁻² g/l zinc sulfate; 0.12×10⁻⁴ to 0.25×10⁻⁴ g/l cupric sulfate;0.005 to 0.015 g/l ferric citrate; 0.008 to 0.03 g/l manganese sulfate;0.30×10⁻² to 0.95×10⁻² g/l boric acid; 0.12×10⁻³ to 0.40×10⁻³ g/l sodiummolybdate; 0.12×10⁻⁴ to 0.25×10⁻⁴ g/l cobaltous chloride; 1.5 to 4.5 g/lnickel sulfate; 0.05 to 0.15 g/l myoinositol; 0.01 to 15 ml/l DMSO; 0.10to 20 g/l of SLES; 0.05 to 0.15 g/l thiamin; 0.01 to 0.06 g/l EDTAdisodium dihydrate; 5 to 15 ml/l neem oil; 5 to 15 ml/l tobacco tea; and5 to 20 g/l psyllium powder.

A source of one nutrient may also be the source of one or more othernutrient. In certain embodiments, for example, the magnesium source andthe sulfur source of the feed formulation is magnesium sulfateheptahydrate (epsom salt). Likewise, a source of one nutrient may alsoserve the same function as an additive. In certain embodiments, forexample, cupric sulfate is a source of iron and sulfur and alsofunctions as a fungicide. A person with ordinary skill in the artrecognizes whether a source of one nutrient may also be the source ofone or more other nutrient, alternatively, such a person may determinethe same using known techniques.

Plant Definitions

A “leafy vegetable plant,” “leafy green plan,” “leafy vegetable,” “leafyherb,” “leafy crop,” leafy green vegetable,” “leafy crop plant,” “leafycrop vegetable,” “leafy green,” or “leafy green vegetable” are usedinterchangeably herein to refer to a plant that produces edible foliage(e.g., edible green leaves). Leafy vegetable plants are known to the artand preferably include a plant that is a/an: Amaranthus, Eruca, Beta,Vernonia, Brassica, Hypochaeris, Apium, Lactuca, Basella, Cnidoscolus,Stellaria, Cichorium, Malva, Chrysanthemum, Valerianella, Lepidium,Taraxacum, Chencpodium, Pteridium, Athyrium, Telfairia, Inula, Plantago,Andansonia, Talinum, Barbarea, Houttuynia, Corchorus, Sinapis,Tetragonia, Atriplex, Acmella, Pisum, Phytolacca, Crithmum, Crambe,Portulaca, Nasturtium, Ipomoea, Claytonia, Achillea, Capparis, Cirsium,Coriandrum, Diplazium, Foeniculum, Hydrcphyllum, Levisticum, Metteuccia,Mentha, Mimulus, Myrrhis, Nymphaea, Ocimum, Onoclea, Pastinaca,Petroselinum, Phaseolus, Ipomoea, Primula, Psoralea, Raphanus, Spinacia,Taraxacum, Thymus, Trifolium, Origanum, Rosinarinus, Salvia, Anethum,Cichorium, Amaryllidaceae, or Melissa plant. Further preferably, a leafyvegetable plant is a/an Lactuca, Beta, Brassica, Spinacia, Eruca,Nasturtium, Mentha, Thymus, Petroselinum, Rosemarinus, Cichorium,Amaryllidaceae, Ocimum, Origanum Anethum, Coriandrum, or plant whichincludes plants having the common names of lettuce, chard, kale andcabbage, spinach, arugula, watercress, mint, thyme, parsley, rosemary,endive, chive, basil, oregano and marjoram, dill, and cilantro,respectively. More preferably, a leafy vegetable plant is a/an Lactuca,Beta, Brassica, Spinacia, Eruca, or Nasturtium plant. Most preferably, aleafy vegetable plant is a Lactuca sativa, Beta vulgaris, Brassicanapus, Brassica oleracea, Brassica rapa, Spinaciaoleracea, Eruca sativa,or Nasturtium officinale plant (see, e.g., U.S. Pre-grant PublicationNo. 2014/0234503; U.S. Pre-grant Publication No. 2006/0194698).

The term “plant” encompasses a whole plant and parts thereof, unlessspecifically stated otherwise. Plant parts include, but are not limitedto, a microspore, pollen, ovary, ovule, flower, stalk, leaf, head,shoot, shoot tip, seed, embryo, embryo sac, cutting, root, root tip,pistil, anther, cotyledon, hypocotyl, meristematic cell, stem, cell,protoplast, meristem, fruit, petiole (leaf stalk), bud, and subpartsthereof such as a part of a leaf. Unless specifically stated otherwise,the term “plant” also encompasses all stages of development. Forexample, “plant” encompasses a seedling. In certain embodiments, thestage of plant development is specified (e.g., mature stage or“maturity”). A person with skill in the art knows the growth anddevelopment stages of a reference plant and recognizes that the stages(e.g., the time at which they are reached, the duration thereof, and thelabels/names used to refer to the different stages) depends upon thetype of plant being discussed. A region or section of a plant or plantpart may be referred to using known anatomy terminology including, forexample, adaxial (dorsal, upper, or top) and abaxial (ventral, lower orbottom).

The term “foliage” refers to all of the leaves of a vascular plant. Insome embodiments, therefore, “foliage” may be used to refer to one leaf.When a plant comprises more than one leaf (i.e., “leaves”), the foliageof that plant comprises all of the plant's leaves.

The term “foliar” or “foliarly” means by way of the foliage or optimizedfor foliar application. “Foliar feeding” therefore refers to feeding byway of plant foliage. A “foliar feed formulation” is therefore a feedformulation optimized for application to the foliage of a plant and forthe uptake of, for example, mineral nutrients through the foliage of theplant. As used herein, however, optimization for foliar application doesnot exclude suitability for non-foliar application. For example, afoliar feed formulation that has been optimized for foliar applicationonto a plant may, in certain embodiments, be applied to a plant seed andsupply that plant seed with its nutritional nitrogen requirements. Inanother example, a foliar feed formulation that has been optimized forfoliar application onto a plant may, in certain embodiments, be appliedto a plant seed and supply that plant seed with its nutritionallyrequired mineral nutrients. In this way, such a feed formulation is botha seed starter (seed feed formulation) and a foliar feed formulation. Inother embodiments, a foliar feed formulation may be administered as amixture, as a supplement, as a drench, as a mist, or as a spray.

The term “shoot” refers to all of the leaves, flowers, and stems of avascular plant, collectively. It is recognized by the art that animmature stem tip may also be referred to as a “shoot”. The term “bud”or its art-recognized equivalents will be used herein to refer to, forexample, an immature stem tip.

The term “roots” refers to the non-shoot parts of a plant. As usedherein, “roots” refers to all of the roots of a plant, collectively, andmay therefore refer to one root (if the referenced plant only comprisesone root) or more than one root. The phrase “a root” means one or moreroot of a plant.

A plant or a part thereof may be wild type or genetically modified(“transgenic” or “recombinant”). Transgenic plants are plants of which aheterologous gene has been stably integrated into its genome. Theexpression “heterologous gene” essentially means a gene which isprovided or assembled outside the plant and when introduced in thenuclear, chloroplast or mitochondrial genome gives the transformed plantnew or improved agronomic or other properties by expressing a protein orpolypeptide of interest or by downregulating or silencing other gene(s)which are present in the plant. (see, e.g., U.S. Pre-grant PublicationNo. 2014/0366441) A plant or plant part of the present invention may begenetically modified for, for example, disease resistance, insectresistance, and/or desirable ornamental characteristics (e.g., leaf orflower color) using known transgenes and known techniques (see, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,404,936).

The color of a plant or plant part may be described with reference tothe Royal Horticultural Society of England (RHS) Colour Chart (6^(th)Edition).

“Foliarly applied” refers to applying a substance to the foliage of aplant. Foliar application of substances to a plant is known in the art(see, e.g., Fageria at 1045, 1049-1050, 1052; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,241,795;6,328,780; 5,797,976; 4,749,402; 6,874,277; U.S Pre-grant PublicationNo. 2013/0130896). Means for applying a substance, a foliar feedformulation for example, onto a plant include manual and automatic spraydispensers (e.g., a spray bottle or a hose); fog or mist machines;droplet dispensers; watering cans (jugs); spreading utensils (e.g., aspatula or a brush); pitching machines that may throw solid, liquid,gelatin, or powder substances; and absorbent articles comprising naturalor synthetic material(s) that may hold (absorb) a foliar feedformulation, for example, and be fastened to, for example, plant foliage(e.g., cloth, string, moss, felt, tape, sponge, or foam) (see, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,104).

“Foliar feeding” or “foliarly fed” refers to supplying a plant with theplant's nutritional nitrogen requirements or the plant's nutritionallyrequired mineral nutrients via application of, for example, a foliarfeed formulation to the plant's foliage. The amount and rate at which a,for example, foliar feed formulation, must be applied to supply a plantwith the majority of its nutritional nitrogen requirements or itsnutritionally required mineral nutrients is known by the art andotherwise easily determined using routine experimentation and knowntechniques (see, e.g., McGinnis; Hosier; McCauley; Kalra; Muñoz-Huerta;Tezotto; Resh pages 34-118; Fageria et al. 1045, 1049-1050, 1052).“Foliar feeding” and “foliarly fed” as used herein are distinct from“root-feeding” or “root fed,” the latter terms referring to supplying aplant with the plant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients throughthe roots of the plant (also terrestrial growth, soil growth, orsoil-based feeding). “Foliar feeding” and “foliarly fed” as used hereinare distinct from “foliar supplementing” or “foliarly supplemented.” A“supplement,” or the act of “supplementing,” provides only 50% or lessof a plant's nutritionally required mineral nutrient(s) to the plant.See, e.g., Fageria; EPO Pat. No. EP0013307 B1; U.S. Pre-grantPublication No. 2013/0130896; U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,795; WIPO PublicationNo. WO2011103617; U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,780; EPO Publication No. EP0114960A2; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,797,976; 4,749,402; 6,874,277.

“Yield” as in “plant yield” refers to an increase or decrease in plantvigor; tolerance or resistance to biotic and/or abiotic stress; plant orplant part weight; biomass; number of flowers per plant; number ofleaves per plant; grain and/or fruit number; number of tillers or sideshoots; leaf width; leaf length; stem length; stem width; number ofroots; length of roots; width of roots; protein content, oil content,starch content, pigment content, chlorophyll content of a plant or plantpart; and combinations thereof. Preferably, “yield” refers to plant orplant part weight, the number of leaves per plant, the leaf width, theleaf length, stem length, petiole length; stem width; number of roots;length of roots; width of roots, and combinations thereof. Preferably,“yield” refers to the number of leaves, the length of the longest leaf,the width of the longest leaf, and the length of the petiole (stalk) ofthe longest leaf. Preferably, “yield” refers to one or more of plant orplant part weight, the number of leaves per plant, the leaf width, theleaf length, stem length, petiole length; stem width; number of roots;length of roots; width of roots, plant height, and combinations thereof.Preferably, “yield” refers to the number of leaves, the length of thelongest leaf, the width of the longest leaf, the length of the petiole(stalk) of the longest leaf, and plant height. Yield may be determinedexperimentally by known techniques (U.S. Pat. No. 8,669,421; U.S.Pre-grant Publication No. 2013/0172185; U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,170).

The publications and patents cited herein are incorporated by referencein their entireties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

The present invention provides a hydroponic system that feeds a leafyvegetable plant through its foliage using a formulation optimized forapplication to, and mineral nutrient absorption through, the plant'sfoliage. The feed formulation of the present invention provides a plantwith its nutritionally effective amount of at least one amino acid ormixture of amino acids, which upon uptake, becomes a substantial sourceof nitrogen for said plant. In this way, the feed formulation permitsthe roots of the plant to be in contact with an incomplete watersolution that comprises less than the plant's nutritional nitrogenrequirements; and substantially all of the plant's nitrogen requirementsare supplied through the leaves of the plants via one or more aminoacids.

The feed formulation of the present invention may also provide a plantwith its nutritionally required mineral nutrients and in this way,permit the roots of the plant to be in contact with only an incompletewater solution wherein that incomplete water solution provides justhydrogen and oxygen to the plant. In this way, root-supplied mineralnutrients may be limited to hydrogen and oxygen. Because an incompletewater solution is a less favorable environment for algae growth, thepresent invention provides a hydroponic system having less algal growthand, therefore, requiring less monitoring and treatment to identify orprevent algae growth (as compared to traditional hydroponic systems).Having been optimized for foliar application to (foliar feeding of) theplant, the feed formulation of the present invention provides to a plantits nutritionally required mineral macronutrients and micronutrients. Inthis way, the feed formulation of the present invention overcomes thelimitations of foliar nutrient supplementation (see, e.g., Fageria).Because of these properties, the present invention does not require thecomplex and expensive infrastructure, monitoring, and/or maintenancethat others' hydroponic systems do. In particular, for example, thepresent invention does not require the assaying of a root-appliedmineral nutrient solution for ion composition or the supplementing(renewing) of any essential nutrients within a mineral nutrientsolution. The present invention also does not require the tools andknowledgeable persons for performing such assays or supplementation. Thefoliar feed formulation described herein has a consistent, knowncomposition. Methods of nourishing a leafy vegetable plant through itsfoliage and leafy vegetable plants grown according to the presenthydroponic system are also provided, which likewise provide the aboveadvantages.

The present invention provides a method of nourishing a leafy vegetableplant through its foliage by applying a presently described feedformulation to a seed, a leaf grown therefrom, or the foliage of aplant. In certain embodiments, the feed formulation is applied at leastonce every twenty four hours. In certain embodiments, the feedformulation is applied at least once every twenty four hours until theplant reaches maturity. In certain embodiments, the feed formulation isapplied at least twice daily. In certain embodiments, the feedformulation is applied at least twice daily until the plant reachesmaturity. In certain embodiments, the feed formulation is applied atleast three times daily. In certain embodiments, the feed formulation isapplied at least three times daily until the plant reaches maturity. Incertain embodiments, the feed formulation is applied at least four timesdaily. In certain embodiments, the feed formulation is applied at leastfour times daily until the plant reaches maturity. In certainembodiments, the feed formulation is applied at least five times daily.In certain embodiments, the feed formulation is applied at least fivetimes daily until the plant reaches maturity. In certain embodiments,the feed formulation is applied at least six times daily. In certainembodiments, the feed formulation is applied at least six times dailyuntil the plant reaches maturity. In certain embodiments, the feedformulation is applied at least seven times daily. In certainembodiments, the feed formulation is applied at least seven times dailyuntil the plant reaches maturity. In certain embodiments, the feedformulation is applied at least eight times daily. In certainembodiments, the feed formulation is applied at least eight times dailyuntil the plant reaches maturity. In certain embodiments, the feedformulation is applied at least nine times daily. In certainembodiments, the feed formulation is applied at least nine times dailyuntil the plant reaches maturity. In certain embodiments, the feedformulation is applied at least ten times daily. In certain embodiments,the feed formulation is applied at least ten times daily until the plantreaches maturity.

In certain embodiments, the feed formulation is applied when the stomataare open (Fageria at 1054-1059). In certain embodiments, the feedformulation is applied when the temperature is below that which willburn plant foliage (e.g., applied when the temperature is between about65° F. and 86° F.) (Midwest Laboratories at 3-4; Fageria at 1054-1059).In certain embodiments, the feed formulation is applied when the plantis not in water stress (too wet or too dry), specifically, the feedformulation is applied when the plant is cool and filled with water(Fageria at 1054-1059). More specifically, the feed formulation isapplied when the atmosphere surrounding the plant is greater than 70%relative humidity (Midwest Laboratories at 3-4; Fageria at 1054-1059).In certain embodiments, the feed formulation is applied when wind speedssurrounding the plant are low (e.g., less than 5 miles per hour (mph))(Midwest Laboratories at 3-4; Fageria at 1054-1059).

In certain embodiments, the leafy vegetable plant of the presentinvention comprises a transgene stably integrated into its nucleargenome that confers onto the plant disease resistance, insectresistance, and/or a desirable ornamental trait.

In certain embodiments, the yield of a leafy vegetable plant produced bythe methods of the present invention comprises between about 80% and115% of the yield of a plant produced by root-feeding. In certainembodiments, the leafy vegetable plant produced by the methods of thepresent invention comprises a 1- or 1.5-fold increase in yield ascompared to a root-fed plant of the same variety.

The present invention further provides a hydroponics system that is afreshwaterponics or riverponics system for feeding a leafy vegetableplant through its foliage comprising a means for applying the presentlydescribed foliar feed formulation to a leafy vegetable plant seed (or aleaf grown therefrom or a leaf of a leafy vegetable plant) and a meansfor contacting the roots of the plant with an incomplete water solution.In certain embodiments, the means for contacting the roots of the plantwith an incomplete water solution is the body of freshwater or riverwater itself and a raft in contact with the body of freshwater or riverwater. In this embodiment, the means for applying the feed formulationmay be a spray bottle and the feed formulation may be applied at leastonce a day every twenty four hours until the plant reaches maturity. Inthis way, the hydroponic system presently described is inexpensivebecause it requires little infrastructure and little maintenance ascompared to traditional hydroponic systems. Further, the hydroponicsystem presently described is easy to use because it requires little orno monitoring and little maintenance as compared to traditionalhydroponic systems. With these benefits, the presently described methodsand hydroponic system, using the presently described feed formulation,increase access in rural and urban areas to affordable, locally grown,leafy greens that are suitable for consumption by a variety of animalsincluding humans.

The foliar feed hydroponic system presently described requires lessinfrastructure, maintenance, and know-how as compared to traditionalhydroponic systems. For at least these reasons, the present system andformulation may be used to increase access to affordable, locally grown,leafy greens that are suitable for consumption by a variety of animalsincluding humans. In particular and for example, the presently describedfoliar feed hydroponic system may be utilized to satisfy the continuedpush for urban agriculture (growing plants in urban environmentsincluding the repurposing of commercial buildings for hydroponicfarming). The present system may be utilized to nourish verticallystacked plants, for example, and do so with less infrastructure andmaintenance burdens than could a traditional hydroponic system.

EXAMPLES

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that,within the scope of the appended claims, a person with skill in the artwould recognize that the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described. The illustrative embodiments and examples shouldnot be construed as limiting the invention.

Example 1: Feed Formulation for Foliar Application

A powder comprising the substances as listed within Table 1A (in grams(g)) was added to one liter (l) of water to produce a feed formulationof the invention, having a final pH of 5.6.

TABLE 1A Formula for 1 liter of Feed Formulation Substance Grams (g)Thiamin 0.10 Ascorbic acid 0.50 Citrulline 6.00 Myoinositol 0.10Potassium chloride 0.50 Calcium chloride 0.80 Magnesium sulfateheptahydrate 0.37 Monopotassium phosphate 0.17 Manganese sulfate 0.017Ferric citrate 0.01 Zinc sulfate 0.0086 Boric acid 0.0062 Potassiumiodide 0.00083 Sodium molybdate 0.00025 Cupric sulfate 0.000025Cobaltous chloride 0.000025 EDTA disodium dehydrate 0.373 Potassiumhydroxide 0.25 DMSO 10 SLES 10 Nickel sulfate 3.0 TOTAL 32.206

Example 2: Another Feed Formulation for Foliar Application

A powder comprising the substances as listed within Table 1B (in grams(g)) is added to one liter (l) of water to produce a feed formulation ofthe invention having a final pH of 5.6.

TABLE 1B Formula for 1 liter of Feed Formulation Substance Grams (g)Thiamin 0.10 Ascorbic acid 0.50 Citrulline 6.00 Myoinositol 0.10Potassium chloride 0.50 Calcium chloride 0.80 Magnesium sulfateheptahydrate 0.37 Monopotassium phosphate 0.17 Manganese sulfate 0.017Ferric citrate 0.01 Zinc sulfate 0.0086 Boric acid 0.0062 Potassiumiodide 0.00083 Sodium molybdate 0.00025 Cupric sulfate 0.000025Cobaltous chloride 0.000025 EDTA disodium dehydrate 0.373 Potassiumhydroxide 0.25 DMSO 20 SLES 20 Nickel sulfate 3.0 TOTAL 52.206

Example 3: Potential Crop Growth Improvement Experiment Using AnotherFeed Formulation for Foliar Application

A powder comprising the substances as listed within Table 1C (in grams(g)) was added per one liter (l) of water to produce a total of 50 l offeed formulation of the invention.

TABLE 1C Formula for 1 liter of Feed Formulation Substance Grams (g)Thiamin 0.10 Ascorbic acid 0.50 Citrulline 6.00 Myoinositol 0.10Potassium chloride 0.40 Calcium chloride 0.80 Magnesium sulfate 0.37Monopotassium phosphate 0.17 Manganese sulfate 0.017 Ferric citrate0.016 Zinc sulfate 0.0086 Boric acid 0.0062 Potassium iodide 0.0014Sodium molybdate 0.0008 Cupric sulfate 0.0022 Cobaltous chloride 0.0006Disodium EDTA 0.375 Potassium hydroxide 0.2508 DMSO 0.5 Sodium LaurelSulfate 1.2 Nickel sulfate 0.0041 TOTAL 10.8227

All plants in the experiment were grown underneath a 400 W High PressureSodium light during the months of March 2017 to June 2017.

On Day 0, Romaine lettuce seeds were planted in a pot of unfertilizedgardening soil. On Day 24, seedlings of equal size and development wereselected and planted singularly in 6, six-inch pots containing eitherpre-washed play sand purchased from Lowes Home Improvement store (6plants) or inert (unfertilized) garden soil (6 plants). For the next tenweeks, 3 plants from each growth medium were given 1 spray (˜0.25 mL) ofthe formula described in Table 1C per day, while the remaining 3 plantsfrom each growth medium were given 1 spray (˜0.25 mL) of well water perday.

On Day 94, plants were harvested, and above-ground, fresh, growth weightwas measured (Tables 2A and 2B). FIGS. 11A-11C depict the plants grownin sand medium after two weeks of growth (FIG. 11A), four weeks ofgrowth (FIG. 11B), and six weeks of growth (FIG. 11C). FIGS. 12A-12Cdepict the plants grown in inert garden soil after two weeks of growth(FIG. 12A), four weeks of growth (FIG. 12B), and six weeks of growth(FIG. 12C).

TABLE 2A Sand-Medium-Grown Plants (Final Harvest Weight in Grams (g))Tyree Formula Applied Once Daily Well Water Applied Once Daily (1 spray)~.25 mL (1 spray) ~.25 mL 6 g (FIG. 11A(ii)) 7 g (FIG. 11A(i)) 14 g(FIG. 11B(i)) 4 g (FIG. 11B(ii)) 37 g (FIG. 11C(i)) 5 g (FIG. 11C(ii))Average - 19 g Average - 5.33 g

TABLE 2B Inert-Garden-Soil-Grown Plants (Final Harvest Weight in g -Average - 3 plants) Tyree Formula Applied Once Daily Well Water AppliedOnce Daily (1 spray) ~.25 mL (1 spray) ~.25 mL 109 g (FIG. 12A(i)) 60 g(FIG. 12A(ii)) 158 g (FIG. 12B(i)) 54 g (FIG. 12B(ii)) 132 g (FIG.12C(i)) 60 g (FIG. 12C(ii) Average - 133 g Average - 58 g

Example 4: Hydroponic Growth of a Leafy Vegetable Plant Utilizing theFoliar Feed Formulation of Example 1 Compared to the Growth of a LeafyVegetable Plant Utilizing a Traditional, Root-fed Hydroponic System

Forty Lactuca sativa seeds were divided, one each, into net cups havingperforations within their bottoms sufficient for plant roots to passthrough (hereinafter cup(s)). The forty cups were further divided intofour groups, ten cups each. The four groups were each assayed for adifferent yield characteristic. Five plants within each group werecontrol plants and the remaining five plants within each group wereexperimental plants. But-for the differences detailed below, control andexperimental plants were grown in comparable conditions.

Each of the twenty experimental plant cups were attached to a raftwherein the raft was in contact with river water. Once daily for sixweeks, about 9 ml of the feed formulation was applied to all twentyexperimental seeds and to the foliage of the plants growth therefrom. Asthey grew, the roots of the experimental plants passed through theperforations within the cups toward the river water and, when longenough, were in contact with river water. Between about 80% and 100% ofthe surface area of full grown roots were in contact with river water.Likewise, between about 80% and 100% of the length of full grown rootswere in contact with river water.

The feed formulation comprises a full complement of a leafy vegetableplant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients, including one or moreamino acids as a the substantial source of nitrogen for said plant, asufficient amount of a penetrant, and additives. The river water wasessentially free of mineral nutrients and therefore comprised anincomplete water solution having less than a full complement of a leafyvegetable plant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients. The riverwater had a pH of about 5.1.

Each of the twenty control plant cups were suspended in receptaclecomprising the FLORANOVA® Grow (General Hydroponics, Inc. Sebastopol,Calif. USA) hydroponic solution (see generalhydroponics.com) such thatthe control seeds were continuously in contact with the hydroponicsolution according to the commercial use instructions. The cups weresuspended in the receptacle in such a way that, as they grew, the rootsof the control plants passed through the perforations within the cupstoward the hydroponic solution were in contact with hydroponic solution.For six weeks, the control seeds and plant roots grown therefrom were incontinuous, substantial contact with the commercial hydroponic solutionaccording to the commercial use instructions.

The FLORANOVA® Grow (General Hydroponics, Inc. Sebastopol, Calif. USA)hydroponics solution is particularly formulated for the hydroponicgrowth of a leafy vegetable plant and comprises a full complement of itsnutritionally required mineral nutrients.

On the first day of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth week of growth,the four groups were assayed for one of the following yieldcharacteristics: number of leaves (Table 3), length of the longest leaf(Table 4), width of the longest leaf (Table 5), and the length of thepetiole of the longest leaf (Table 6). The results, in centimeters (cm)were as presented in Tables 3-6.

TABLE 3 Number of leaves Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Control FormulaControl Formula Control Formula Control Formula Cup 1 7 5 9 7 13 10 1512 Cup 2 4 4 5 7 9 11 14 12 Cup 3 3 4 8 6 14 12 18 15 Cup 4 7 6 9 9 8 1012 14 Cup 5 3 4 8 7 12 12 15 16 Average 4.8 4.6 7.8 7.2 11.2 11 14.813.8 Standard 1.8 0.8 1.5 0.98 2.3 0.89 1.9 1.6 Deviation

TABLE 4 Length of longest leaf (cm) Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 ControlFormula Control Formula Control Formula Control Formula Cup 1 17 14 1917 23 21 26 24 Cup 2 15 14 18 17 21 20 24 23 Cup 3 14 15 17 18 19 22 2226 Cup 4 17 13 19 17 22 19 25 22 Cup 5 16 15 20 19 24 23 27 27 Average15.8 14.2 18.6 17.6 21.8 21 24.8 24.4 Standard 1.2 0.75 1.0 0.8 1.7 1.41.7 1.8 Deviation

TABLE 5 Width of longest leaf (cm) Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 ControlFormula Control Formula Control Formula Control Formula Cup 1 12 10 1313 15 15 21 19 Cup 2 10 11 15 14 17 16 20 21 Cup 3 12 10 14 14 18 17 2217 Cup 4 10 10 14 15 17 18 21 20 Cup 5 11 9 16 13 19 16 20 19 Average 1110 14.4 13.8 17.2 16.4 20.8 19.2 Standard 0.89 0.63 1.0 0.75 1.3 1.00.75 1.3 Deviation

TABLE 6 Length of the petiole of the longest leaf (cm) Week 3 Week 4Week 5 Week 6 Control Formula Control Formula Control Formula ControlFormula Cup 1 23 29 25 32 28 34 31 35 Cup 2 24 32 26 35 29 36 34 38 Cup3 28 29 30 32 31 34 34 36 Cup 4 26 23 31 26 34 27 36 30 Cup 5 26 23 3225 35 28 36 29 Average 25.4 27.2 28.8 30 31.4 31.8 34.2 33.6 Standard1.74 3.6 2.8 3.8 2.7 3.6 1.8 3.5 Deviation

The data within Tables 3-6 show that experimental plants and controlplants had comparable yields. In particular, the number of leaves,length of the longest leaf, width of the longest leaf, and length of thepetiole of the longest leaf of the experimental plants was comparable tothat of the control plants. Tables 3-6 and FIGS. 1-4 further demonstratethat a leafy vegetable plant having been grown using a herein describedhydroponic system and foliar feed formulation grows and develops in amanner that is comparable to a plant of the same type having been grownvia traditional, hydroponic techniques wherein the plant absorbs itsnutritionally required mineral nutrients through its roots.

Example 5: Climate Controlled Hydroponic Growth of a Leafy VegetablePlant Under High Pressure Sodium Lighting and Utilizing the Foliar FeedFormulation of Example 1 Compared to the Growth of a Leafy VegetablePlant Utilizing a Traditional, Root-Fed Hydroponic System

To show that a plant's mineral nutrient absorption when grown using thefoliar feeding formulation of this invention is not substantiallylimited by precipitation, evaporation, and openness of stomata, acomparison was made of plants grown using the invention's foliar feedinghydroponic system to plants grown in an industry-standard hydroponicsystem providing optimal water, nutrient, light, oxygen, and healthconditions. The comparison was conducted as provided below. Anovastatistical analysis and the graphic representations provided at, forexample, FIGS. 8-10 confirm the observation that plants grown using theinvention's foliar feeding hydroponic system develop (achieve yields) ata rate that is comparable to plants grown in industry-standardhydroponic systems providing optimal water, nutrient, light, oxygen, andhealth conditions.

A powder comprising the substances as listed within Table 1D (in grams(g)) is added to one liter (l) of water to produce a feed formulation ofthe invention having a final pH of 5.6.

TABLE 1D Substance Grams (g) Thiamin 0.10 Ascorbic acid 0.50 Citrulline6.00 Myoinositol 0.10 Potassium chloride 0.50 Calcium chloride 0.80Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 0.37 Monopotassium phosphate 0.17Manganese sulfate 0.017 Ferric citrate 0.01 Zinc sulfate 0.0086 Boricacid 0.0062 Potassium iodide 0.00083 Sodium molybdate 0.00025 Cupricsulfate 0.000025 Cobaltous chloride 0.000025 EDTA disodium dehydrate0.373 Potassium hydroxide 0.25 DMSO 0.44 SLES 1.01 Nickel sulfate 3.0TOTAL 13.656

Eighty Lactuca sativa seeds were divided, four each, into twentyfive-gallon buckets. The twenty buckets were evenly divided into fivegroups (four buckets per group, labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively)and each group was placed under one of five 400 watt High PressureSodium (HSP) grow lights. Three seeds within each bucket wereexperimental seeds (labeled A, B, and C, respectively) and one seedwithin each bucket was a control seed (labeled X). In total, there weresixty experimental plants (referred to as “Formula” in data tables) andtwenty control plants (referred to as “Control” in data tables). But-forthe differences detailed below, experimental and control seeds weregrown in comparable conditions.

Within the buckets, experimental seeds were scatter sown into expandedclay pellet media moistened with an incomplete water solution (wellwater). Seeds sprouted within one week and seedlings were culled tosixty experimental seeds. Starting at one week of growth and once dailythereafter for four weeks, about 4 ml of the feed formulation asdescribed in Table 1D was applied using a mist sprayer to theexperimental seeds and to the adaxial surface of the foliage of theplants growth therefrom.

Within the buckets, control seeds were scatter sown into expanded claypellet media moistened with FLORANOVA® Grow (General Hydroponics, Inc.Sebastopol, Calif. USA) hydroponic solution (seegeneralhydroponics.com). Seeds sprouted within one week and seedlingswere culled to twenty control seeds. The control seeds and plants growntherefrom were hydroponically root-fed according to the FLORANOVA® Grow(General Hydroponics, Inc. Sebastopol, Calif. USA) label instructions(see FLORANOVA® Grow 7-4-10 One-Part Nutrient product label, GENERALHYDROPONICS®; available at generalhydyroponics.com). The FLORANOVA® Grow(General Hydroponics, Inc. Sebastopol, Calif. USA) hydroponics solutionis particularly formulated for the hydroponic growth of a leafyvegetable plant and comprises a full complement of its nutritionallyrequired mineral nutrients (see FLORANOVA® Grow 7-4-10 One-Part Nutrientproduct label, GENERAL HYDROPONICS®; available atgeneralhydyroponics.com).

At weeks 2, 3, and 4 of growth, each of the eighty plants were assayedfor three yield characteristics: number of leaves (Tables 7 and 8),length of the longest leaf (Tables 9 and 10), and plant height (Tables11 and 12). The length of the longest leaf was determined by measuringthe base of the leaf to the apex (tip) (i.e., did not include the lengthof the petiole). The plant height was determined by measuring the baseof the stem to the leaf tip (i.e., did include the length of thepetiole) and only the largest plant height measurements were recorded.The results, in centimeters (cm) were as presented in Tables 7, 9, and11. Each of A-C and X comprised four plants, so within the columnslabeled “Week 2,” “Week 3,” and “Week 4” of Tables 7, 9, and 11, themeasurements of each of the four plants are provided and separated by acomma (in the order of Plant1, Plant2, Plant3, and Plant4 from left toright, top to bottom throughout the tables). Using the data withinTables 7, 9, and 11, the average experimental (Formula) values (averageof 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3C, 4A-4C, and 5A-5C (Formula “Final Average”)) arepresented against the average Control values (average of 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D,and 5D (Control “Final Average”)) within Tables 8, 10, and 12,respectively, below.

TABLE 7 Number of leaves Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 2 Standard Week 3Standard Week 4 Standard Week 2 Average Deviation Week 3 AverageDeviation Week 4 Average Deviation Group 1 A 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 6, 5, 4,4 4.75 0.96 5, 6, 4, 6 5.25 0.96 B 5, 4, 4, 4 4.25 0.25 6, 6, 5, 6 5.750.50 7, 9, 6, 7 7.25 1.26 C 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 6, 5, 6, 5 5.50 0.58 8, 6,6, 7 6.75 0.96 X 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 7, 7, 6, 6 6.50 0.58 9, 6, 9, 6 7.501.73 Group 2 A 4, 3, 4, 4 3.75 0.50 6, 5, 5, 5 5.25 0.50 4, 4, 6, 6,6.50 0.58 B 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 6, 5, 5, 6 5.50 0.58 7, 9, 6, 9 7.75 1.50C 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 5, 6, 5, 5 5.25 0.50 8, 8, 6, 7 7.25 0.96 X 4, 4, 4,4 4.00 0 6, 7, 7, 6 6.50 0.58 9, 6, 9, 7 7.75 1.50 Group 3 A 4, 4, 4, 44.00 0 5, 5, 4, 5 4.75 0.50 6, 5, 5, 5 5.25 0.50 B 4, 5, 4, 4 4.25 0.506, 6, 6, 6 4.00 0 6, 7, 6, 6 6.25 0.50 C 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 6, 6, 6, 55.75 0.50 7, 6, 7, 6 6.50 0.58 X 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 6, 6, 6, 7 6.25 0.507, 9, 6, 8 7.50 1.29 Group 4 A 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 4, 4, 4, 6 4.50 1.0 6,5, 6, 6 5.75 0.50 B 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 6, 6, 6, 6 6.00 0 7, 6, 6, 7 6.500.58 C 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 5, 6, 5, 6 5.50 0.58 8, 6, 7, 6 6.75 0.96 X 4,4, 4, 4 4.00 0 6, 7, 7, 6 6.50 0.58 8, 6, 7, 7 7.00 0.82 Group 5 A 4, 5,4, 4 4.25 0.50 4, 4, 4, 6 4.50 1.0 6, 5, 4, 5 5.00 0.82 B 5, 5, 4, 54.75 0.50 5, 6, 5, 6 5.50 0.58 9, 7, 9, 9 8.50 1.00 C 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 05, 5, 6, 6 5.50 0.58 7, 6, 6, 7 6.50 0.58 X 4, 4, 4, 4 4.00 0 7, 7, 6, 76.75 0.50 6, 8, 8, 9 7.75 1.26

TABLE 8 Average number of leaves Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Average AverageAverage Average Average Average Control Formula Control Formula ControlFormula Group 1 4.00 4.08 6.50 5.33 7.50 6.42 Group 2 4.00 3.92 6.505.33 7.75 7.17 Group 3 4.00 4.08 6.25 4.83 7.50 6.00 Group 4 4.00 4.006.50 5.33 7.00 6.33 Group 5 4.00 4.33 6.75 5.17 7.75 6.67 Final 4.0 4.086.50 5.20 7.50 6.52 Average Standard 0 0.14 0.16 0.19 0.27 0.39Deviation

TABLE 9 Length of the longest leaf (cm) Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 2Standard Week 3 Standard Week 4 Standard Week 2 Average Deviation Week 3Average Deviation Week 4 Average Deviation Group 1 A 2.5, 2, 1.75 0.6510, 10, 10.88 1.03 14.5, 15.5, 13.50 1.96 1, 1.5 12, 11.5 11, 13 B 1.5,2, 2.00 0.71 9, 9, 9.38 0.48 11, 13, 13.00 1.63 3, 1.5 9.5, 10 15, 13 C3, 2, 2.50 0.58 10, 8, 9.00 1.15 12, 13, 13.25 0.96 3, 2 8, 10 14, 14 X3.5, 3.5, 3.13 0.48 12, 11, 11.25 0.96 18, 14, 14.00 2.94 3, 2.5 10, 1213, 11 Group 2 A 1.5, 1.5, 1.63 0.25 10.5, 11, 10.86 0.48 15, 15, 14.001.68 2, 1.5 11.5, 10.5 11.5, 14.5 B 2, 1.5, 2.00 0.71 10, 9.5, 9.38 0.4813.5, 13, 12.75 0.65 3, 1.5 9, 9 12.5, 12 C 2, 3, 2.50 0.58 9.5, 8, 8.750.65 12, 12.5, 12.75 0.87 3, 2 9, 8.5 14, 12.5 X 3.5, 3.5, 3.25 0.29 10,11, 11.13 0.85 15, 13.5, 14.63 2.17 3, 3 12, 11.5 17.5, 12.5 Group 3 A2.5, 2, 2.00 0.41 11, 12, 11.38 0.48 12, 14, 13.63 1.25 2, 1.5 11, 11.515, 13.5 B 2, 1.5, 1.75 0.29 10, 9, 9.38 0.48 11, 11.5, 12.50 1.47 2,1.5 9, 9.5 14, 13.5 C 3, 2.5, 2.38 0.48 8, 9, 8.88 0.85 13, 13.5, 13.500.41 2, 2 8.5, 10 13.5, 14 X 3.5, 3, 2.75 0.65 11.5, 10.5, 11.13 0.7512.5, 15, 14.63 1.65 2, 2.5 12, 10.5 16.5, 14.5 Group 4 A 2, 2, 2.130.25 10, 10, 10.25 0.50 13.5, 14.5, 13.5 1.08 2, 2.5 11, 10 12, 14 B1.5, 2, 2.00 0.48 9, 9.5, 9.50 0.41 13, 14.5, 13.50 0.91 2, 2.5 9.5, 1012.5, 14 C 2, 3, 2.63 0.48 9, 9, 9.25 0.50 14, 13.5, 13.75 0.29 2.5, 39, 10 14, 13.5 X 3.5, 3.5, 3.25 0.50 12, 11, 11.13 0.85 14, 11, 13.01.58 2.5, 3.5 11.5, 10 14.5, 12.5 Group 5 A 1, 1, 1.25 0.50 11, 12,11.00 0.82 14, 12, 12.88 1.03 1, 2 10, 11 13.5, 12 B 2, 3, 2.25 0.65 9,9, 9.25 0.29 11.5, 14, 13.25 1.19 1.5, 2.5 9.5, 9.5 13.5, 14 C 3, 2,2.50 0.41 10, 8, 9.13 0.85 12.5, 13, 13.0 0.71 2.5, 2.5 9, 9.5 14, 12.5X 3.5, 3, 3.25 0.29 11.5, 12, 11.63 0.48 13, 13.5, 13.75 0.65 3, 3.5 11,12 14, 14.5

TABLE 10 Average length of the longest leaf (cm) Week 2 Week 3 Week 4Average Average Average Average Average Average Control Formula ControlFormula Control Formula Group 1 3.13 2.08 11.25 9.75 14.00 13.25 Group 23.25 2.04 11.13 9.66 14.63 13.17 Group 3 2.75 2.04 11.13 9.88 14.6313.21 Group 4 3.25 2.25 11.13 9.67 13.00 13.58 Group 5 3.25 2.00 11.639.79 13.75 13.04 Final 3.13 2.08 11.25 9.75 14.00 13.25 Average Standard0.22 0.10 0.22 0.09 0.68 0.20 Deviation

TABLE 11 Plant height (cm) Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 2 Standard Week 3Standard Week 4 Standard Week 2 Average Deviation Week 3 AverageDeviation Week 4 Average Deviation Group 1 A 6, 6.5, 6.88 0.75 18, 16,17.75 1.26 30, 20, 21.13 6.06 7.5, 7.5 19, 18 17.5, 17 B 7, 8.5, 6.132.02 14, 12, 14.25 2.63 17, 13, 19.50 9.81 5, 4 13, 18 34, 14 C 8.5, 6,6.75 1.19 14, 13, 12.75 0.96 22, 23, 26.00 6.06 6, 6.5 12, 12 24, 35 X6, 9.5, 8.88 1.93 23, 18, 19.00 2.71 35, 35, 30.50 5.74 10, 10 18, 1723, 29 Group 2 A 5.5, 9, 7.25 1.44 17, 16.5, 17.25 0.65 14, 25.5, 22.635.76 7, 7.5 18, 17.5 26, 25 B 6.5, 5, 6.25 0.87 14, 14, 13.75 0.50 26.5,20, 20.50 4.38 7, 6.5 13, 14 16, 19.5 C 7, 8, 6.88 0.85 14, 12, 13.001.15 25, 25.5, 26.00 2.80 6.5, 6 12, 14 30, 23.5 X 9, 7.5, 8.50 1.2218.5, 17.5, 18.75 1.26 24.5, 30, 29.88 3.86 10, 7.5 18.5, 20.5 33.5,31.5 Group 3 A 6.5, 6.5, 6.40 0.27 16.5, 18, 18.00 1.08 18, 19.5, 20.003.44 6.6, 6 19, 18.5 25, 17.5 B 4.5, 5, 5.13 0.95 17, 15, 14.38 2.06 17,15, 18.13 5.36 6.5, 4.5 12.5, 13 26, 14.5 C 6.5, 7, 6.75 0.29 12.5,13.5, 12.63 0.63 25, 26.5, 27.38 2.02 7, 6.5 12, 12.5 28.5, 29.5 X 9.5,10, 9.25 0.65 21, 18.5, 19.38 1.38 25, 30, 27.63 2.29 9, 8.5 20, 1826.5, 29 Group 4 A 7, 7.5, 7.38 0.48 17, 18, 18.13 0.85 24.5, 17, 20.753.80 7, 8 19, 18.5 18, 23.5 B 7, 6.5, 6.75 0.29 13, 13.5, 14.88 1.93 23,13.5, 19.13 4.92 6.5, 7 17, 16 23.5, 16.5 C 6, 7.5, 6.25 0.87 12, 12.5,12.63 0.95 26, 24.5, 26.0 2.12 5.5, 6 14, 12 29, 24.5 X 9.5, 10, 9.001.68 19, 17, 18.50 1.29 23.5, 34.5, 31.38 5.27 6.5, 10 20, 18 33.5, 34Group 5 A 6, 7.4, 6.48 1.20 18, 18.5, 17.63 1.11 27.5, 20.5, 21.13 4.397.5, 5 16, 18 18.5, 18 B 5.5, 6.5, 6.38 0.63 14, 16, 14.0 1.63 16, 24.5,20.25 5.52 6.5, 7 12, 14 15, 25.5 C 5.5, 6, 6.50 0.91 13.5, 12, 12.750.87 26, 27.5, 24.63 2.81 7, 7.5 13.5, 12 24, 21 X 7.5, 8.5, 8.75 1.0420, 21, 19.38 1.38 32.5, 34, 33.13 0.75 10, 9 18.5, 18 33.5, 32.5

TABLE 12 Average plant height (cm) Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Average AverageAverage Average Average Average Control Formula Control Formula ControlFormula Group 1 8.88 6.59 19.00 14.92 30.50 22.21 Group 2 8.50 6.7918.75 14.67 29.88 23.04 Group 3 9.25 6.09 19.38 15.00 27.63 21.84 Group4 9.00 6.79 18.50 15.21 31.38 21.96 Group 5 8.75 6.45 19.38 14.79 33.1322.00 Final 8.88 6.54 19.00 14.92 30.50 22.21 Average Standard 0.28 0.290.39 0.18 2.02 0.48 Deviation

The data within Tables 7-12 and FIGS. 8-10 show that experimental plantsand control plants had comparable yields. In particular, the number ofleaves, length of the longest leaf, and plant height of the experimentalplants was comparable to that of the control plants. At the end of theexperimental period, the number of leaves of Formula plants was 86% thatof Control plants, the average length of the longest leaf of Formulaplants was 95% that of Control plants, and the average plant height ofFormula plants was 73% that of Control plants. This data indicates thatexperimental plants reached genetic maturity from foliar feeding withthe Table 1D formula, which shows that the plant's nutritionallyrequired mineral nutrients were provided by a formula as described inExample 1 and foliar feeding therewith.

Example 6: Plant Growth in Kale Following Administration of a FeedFormulation of the Invention Compared to Administration of CommercialProducts

A composition comprising the substances listed within Table 13 was addedto 50 l of water to produce a feed formulation of the invention.

TABLE 13 Formula for 50 liters of Feed Formulation Substance (Powdereddry) Grams (g) Thiamin 5 Ascorbic acid 25 Citrulline Malate 300Myoinositol 5 Potassium chloride 20 Calcium chloride 40 Magnesiumsulfate heptahydrate 18.497 Mono-potassium phosphate 8.502 Manganesesulfate 0.855 Ferric citrate 0.507 Zinc sulfate 0.438 Boric acid 0.318Potassium iodide 0.074 Sodium molybdate 0.04 Cupric sulfate 0.118Cobaltous chloride 0.035 EDTA (Disodium dihydrate) 1.88 Potassiumhydroxide 12.551 Nickel sulfate 0.207 Substance (Liquid) Milliliters(ml) Sodium Laurel Sulfate 60 Dimethyl Sulfoxide 25

Experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using kale seedlingstransplanted from plug flats into 1 gallon pots filled with sand.

On Day 0, kale seedlings were transplanted into pots filled with washedcoarse sand (paver sand) purchased from Lowes Home Improvement store.For the next five weeks, the plants were sprayed at every watering withJack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer, Peters Excel CalMag (withTween 20; 0.5% (v/v)), or the formula described in Table 13. Jack'sProfessional Water Soluble Fertilizer and Peters Excel CalMag (withTween 20; 0.5% (v/v)) were mixed with deionized water to provide 400 ppmN in the applied fertilizer solution. Foliar treatments were appliedevenly to the abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces while minimizingoverspray and loss via dripping. Each plant was watered as neededthroughout the experiment. The surface of pots was covered with aluminumfoil to prevent foliar applied fertilizer treatments from dripping intothe sand root environment, and pots were placed on saucers to aid inwater retention, with the water level less than 2 cm deep.

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict the plants sprayed with Jack's ProfessionalWater Soluble Fertilizer and Peters Excel CalMag (with Tween 20; 0.5%(v/v)), respectively, at four weeks of growth. FIG. 13C depicts theplants sprayed with the formula described in Table 13 at the same timepoint. As shown in FIGS. 13A-13C, kale plants sprayed with the formuladescribed in Table 13 exhibit robust growth relative to the plantssprayed with commercial products.

Example 7: Plant Growth in Lettuce Following Administration of a FeedFormulation of the Invention Compared to Administration of CommercialProducts

A composition comprising the substances listed within Table 13 was addedto 50 l of water to produce a feed formulation of the invention.

Experiments were conducted indoors using Romaine lettuce (‘Outredgeous’)seedlings transplanted from plug flats into 1 gallon pots filled withsand. All plants were grown underneath a 400 W High Pressure Sodiumlight during the months of August 2017 and September 2017.

On Day 0, lettuce seedlings were transplanted into pots filled withwashed coarse sand (paver sand) purchased from Lowes Home Improvementstore. For the next five weeks, the plants were sprayed at everywatering with Jack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer, Peters ExcelCalMag (with Tween 20; 0.5% (v/v)), or the formula described in Table13. Jack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer and Peters Excel CalMag(with Tween 20; 0.5% (v/v)) were mixed with deionized water to provide400 ppm N in the applied fertilizer solution. Foliar treatments wereapplied evenly to the abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces while minimizingoverspray and loss via dripping. Each plant was watered as neededthroughout the experiment. The surface of pots was covered with aluminumfoil to prevent foliar applied fertilizer treatments from dripping intothe sand root environment, and pots were placed on saucers to aid inwater retention, with the water level less than 2 cm deep.

FIGS. 14A-F depict the plants sprayed with the formula described inTable 13, Jack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer, or Peters ExcelCalMag (with Tween 20; 0.5% (v/v)) at 0 days, 14 days, 23 days, 30 days,and 33 days of growth. As shown in FIGS. 14A-F, lettuce plants sprayedwith the formula described in Table 13 (plants designated ‘i’) exhibitrobust growth relative to the plants sprayed with Peters Excel CalMag(with Tween 20; 0.5% (v/v)) (plants designated ‘ii’) or plants sprayedwith Jack's Professional Water Soluble Fertilizer (plants designated‘iii’) at all stages of growth.

In view of the above-described experiments, a person with ordinary skillin the art would recognize that the foliar feed formulations andhydroponic systems of the present invention are easily adaptable to, forexample, urban growth systems by applying the foliar feed formulationwith alternate techniques, by contacting plant roots with an incompletewater solution using other methods or tools, and/or by supporting theplant with substitute structure(s).

1. A method of growing a leafy vegetable plant through its foliagecomprising: applying a foliar feed formulation to a leaf of said leafyvegetable plant, wherein (a) the roots of the plant are in contact withan incomplete water solution or inert medium that is essentially free ofthe plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements; and (b) the foliar feedformulation comprises a nutritionally effective amount of at least oneamino acid, which upon uptake, becomes a substantial source of nitrogenfor said plant; wherein said leafy vegetable plant grown using saidfoliar feed formulation develops in a manner that is comparable to aplant of the same type having been grown so that it absorbs itsnutritional nitrogen requirements through its roots.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the amino acid is selected from the group consisting ofthe D-, L- or racemic forms of alanine, beta-alanine, arginine,asparagine, aspartic acid, carnosine, cysteine, glutamine, glutamicacid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine,phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine, tyrosine, valine,citrulline, citrulline malate, or mixtures thereof.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said foliar feed formulation further comprises aneffective amount of a gelling agent.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid foliar feed formulation further comprises an effective amount of atleast one biocide.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said biocidecomprises at least one fungicide, at least one algaecide, at least onebactericide, or at least one virucide.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinsaid biocide comprises potassium sorbate.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein said foliar feed formulation further comprises an effectiveamount of a penetrant.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said penetrantis selected from the group consisting of a biocompatible polar aproticsolvent and a biocompatible anionic detergent.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein said biocompatible polar aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO).
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the roots of said plant arenot in substantial contact with soil.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said inert medium is selected from the group consistingof sand, gravel, peat, clay pellets, vermiculite, pumice, perlite, cococoir, sawdust, rice hulls, mineral wool, foam, sponge, polyurethane growslabs, and coconut husk.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the roots ofsaid plant are submerged in said incomplete water solution.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein said incomplete water solution isessentially free of the plant's nutritionally required mineralnutrients.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said incomplete watersolution contains less than a nutritionally-effective amount of aphosphorus source, a potassium source, a calcium source, a magnesiumsource, a sulfur source, a zinc source, a copper source, an iron source,a manganese source, a boron source, a molybdenum source, a chlorinesource, or a nickel source.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein saidfoliar feed formulation further comprises nutritionally-effectiveamounts of a phosphorus source, a potassium source, a calcium source, amagnesium source, a sulfur source, a zinc source, a copper source, aniron source, a manganese source, a boron source, a molybdenum source, achlorine source, and a nickel source. 17-66. (canceled)
 67. The methodof claim 1, wherein said foliar feed formulation is in the form of apowder, a flowable powder, a gelatin, a compressed solid, a pellet, amist, a fog, a foam, or a liquid.